gr8 life magazine - issue 18 - autumn 2011
DESCRIPTION
The lifestyle magazine for Sefton and West LancashireTRANSCRIPT
Anton du BekeEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
“Why I choose the Southport’s Prince”
DISCOVER
FormbyISSUE 18 · £3 · AUTUMN 2011
A bedroom with a viewin Scarisbrick
Sophie-sticatedFashion
Love for sailin Crosby
Meet the family:Beautiful Beginnings
Day NurseryNew Born to Reception
Begin Beautifully. Set in the expansive grounds of Scarisbrick Hall, our nursery enjoys a privileged
environment. From just a few months old in our self contained baby unit onwards, your child can enjoy the
perfect start in life, wherever they go from here.
Play and learning are balanced and as children grow, we ensure the curriculum is tailored to each child’s needs as
part of our Early Years Foundation Stage.
Scarisbrick HallFirst School
Reception to Year 4
From the earliest days of their education, our children benefit from an individual learning plan We don’t believe
in a one fits all system, so each child is assessed and a personalised plan is built around them.
We also want children to understand the benefits of new technology from an early age, so we encourage supervised laptop and ipad use on our hi-speed wifi
network, together with plenty of fun-to-learn education.
Scarisbrick HallMiddle School
Year 5 to Year 8
With careers advice from Year 7 and new courses such as catering & hospitality, sports studies and performing arts, we are investing heavily in our children’s future. We have
already seen pupils pass their GCSE exams as much as three years early.
Top quality education is backed by pastoral care and welfare, which have been acknowledged as “outstanding”.
01704 880200www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk
01704 880200www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk
01704 880200www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk
01704 842222www.beautifulbeginningsdaynursery.co.ukSet in the grounds of Scarisbrick Hall. Open 7am - 6pm.
Meet the family:Scarisbrick HallMiddle School
Year 5 to Year 8
With careers advice from Year 7 and new courses such as catering & hospitality, sports studies and performing arts, we are investing heavily in our children’s future. We have
already seen pupils pass their GCSE exams as much as three years early.
Top quality education is backed by pastoral care and welfare, which have been acknowledged as “outstanding”.
Scarisbrick HallCollege
Year 9 to Year 13
The third tier of education is our new college. When it comes to GCSEs, it allows pupils in the College to start their
exam courses a whole year early. Our E3 programme is excellent and more courses are coming on stream as part
of our schedule of ongoing improvements.
Each student has their own personal mentor - we are dedicated to the best academic results as well as an
holistic approach to producing a well rounded adult.
01704 880200www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk
01704 880200www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk
01704 880200www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk
01704 842222www.beautifulbeginningsdaynursery.co.ukSet in the grounds of Scarisbrick Hall. Open 7am - 6pm.
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PUBLISHERBetty Drummond
MANAGING EDITORLaurent Saletto
ASSOCIATE EDITORLouisa Austin
01704 392 [email protected]
EDITORIAL TEAMHenry James
Natasha YoungDavid Simister
CONTRIBUTORSDiane Thompson
Cornelia Kaufmann
PHOTOGRAPHYMartyn Snape
John Swift
ADVERTISING [email protected]
Chris Chew01704 392 338
Jo Gillinder01704 392 336
PRODUCTION TEAM01704 392 320
[email protected] Houghton
Emma LyonMike Rose
DISTRIBUTION TEAM01704 392 345
PUBLISHED BY
Champion Media GroupClare House
166 Lord StreetSouthport PR9 0QA
T: 01704 392 392F: 0871 900 5678
© 2011 Champion Media Group. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care is taken, details, prices etc. are subject to change without notice and the publisher can take no responsibility for any errors or omissions whatsoever.
Hello
Would you believe Autumn is already on our door step? With nights drawing in, sunshine getting paler in the skies (was it ever there?) and everyone checking their heating systems in readiness for the sure-to-come-soon cold snap, Gr8life is here to help you while away a few hours. And wow, do we have a choice of subjects for you this time!
From foods and cars to fashions and properties you will fi nd it all in these pages. We even take you on a ride in a helicopter and a bit of a sailing trip to keep you all fi t!
The Discover section remains the heart of Gr8life. As I have already said in this very column, it is really amazing what this region has to offer. So in this issue, if you thought you knew Formby, well think again! Our cover refl ects the outstanding natural beauty of its coast and it’s spirit is matched by an incredible array of businesses and shops that some of our readers will have, no doubt, yet to still discover. We know by your comments that each edition of Gr8life unveils little treasures you never knew existed in a street near you and there is no doubt our team has done it again with Formby.
Talent in this part of the world is a given and many fashionistas know that the Northwest region in particular is the place for new trends and high fashions. You are about to fi nd out why this reputation is so well earned with our exclusive fashion shoot. Young designer Sophie Maddox is making a real mark on the fashion industry right now and it is easy to see why, you will agree. One of my beliefs is to always unveil new talent in our pages and I am glad Sophie agreed to have her fi ne creations featured with us....Remember you saw her here fi rst!
Birkdale is fast becoming synonymous with fi ne dining and The Gastro Bar and Grill fi ts right in. Local entrepreneur Mike Macomb has done a terrifi c job and the atmosphere of this great restaurant is casual and yet, so elegant. It reminds me of one of those cool Fifties places you see in movies. The food infl uences are British modern and this restaurant is sure to become a regional favourite.
Finally, as Strictly is about to hit our TV screens again, I was lucky enough to speak to Anton du Beke who is every bit as funny as you would expect him to be. You will have to fi nd out about his Bupa connection and why the Prince of Wales is a fi rm favourite with the famed dancer.
So as you can see, there is plenty for you to fi nd out in another fi ne edition of Gr8life. And with less time to spend in the garden working hard, you can just relax with the magazine.... Autumn does have its good side !
Louisa Austin Associate Editor
Anton du BekeEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
“Why I choose the Southport’s Prince”
DISCOVER
FormbyISSUE 18 · £3 · AUTUMN 2011
A bedroom with a viewin Scarisbrick
Sophie-sticatedFashion
Love for sailin Crosby
Gr8 Life magazine 5
9 Southport’s forgotten pastNot many people know that the world land speed record was once set on our very own Southport beach. David Simister looks at that momentous but quickly forgotten occasion
14 Glamorous gownsIn the Summer edition we looked at mother of the bride gowns available from Southport based dress hire Heaven Sent. In this edition we return and take a peek at the beautiful selection of evening gowns
17 The fl ying doctorsThe North West Air Ambulance does an amazing job transporting patients all over the area, however they get very little government funding. We look at a days work for everyone involved
21 Discover Formby17 pages showing you what the unique coastal town of Formby has to offer. We pop down to the bustling shopping area, the pinewoods and the beautiful beach which stretches for miles along the coast
38 It’s all in the eyesWe speak to lash technician Suzanne Barclay of Xtreme Lashes who can transform your eyes and give you a set of beautiful eyelashes
39 A fashion star in the makingSophie Maddox is only in her early twenties yet she is designing gowns which wouldn’t look out of place at a red carpet event
45 Southport Flower ShowThis annual event couldn’t go without a mention in Gr8life and so here we showcase the winning gardens and give you a glimpse of the delights which were on offer
49 A little bit of paradiseTucked away in Scarisbrick is an extremely unique home with a couple of surprises waiting for you to discover
53 Simple but stylishGr8life samples the delicious food served at Birkdale’s newest eatery The Gastro Bar and Grill
57 Tarleton’s John DenverChris Bannister is a singer songwriter who has an uncanny resemblance to the late American star. Louisa Austin met him to fi nd out about his musical infl uences
60 Verité at homeThis edition Birkdale chef Marc Verite shows us how to whip up a Venison dish fi t for any dinner party
61 Crosby AhoyGr8life’s David Simister and Chris Chew spent a few hours at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre and got more than they bargained for
64 Shall we danceWe talk to ballroom dancer and Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke about his career, plans for the future and love of Southport
69 You can have it allDavid Simister shows us a car which is perfect if you fancy the thrill of a sporty model but also need the practicality of a family car
73 Society PagesA look at who has been out and about in the last three months
Inside Issue 18
6 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
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Beautiful flour arrangements.
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Sculptures, plaques, statues and artworks.
These are just some of the things which
haven’t been commissioned for what
surely ranks as the most awe-inspiring
spectacle in Southport’s history.
On March 16 this year, the 85th anniversary
of the world land speed record, being set on
the town’s beach, passed without so much
as a whimper, without anything in the way of
pomp or ceremony to celebrate. In fact, the
only lasting tribute to the day the seaside resort
became the fastest place on Earth is The Henry
Segrave pub, named in honour of the dashing
chap who dared to push the edges of what’s
possible at the driving seat of a car.
It seems hard to believe, in 2011, that it’s
physically possible to drive along the beach at
152mph, a speed that’s twice what you can
legally do on the motorway. The fastest I’ve
ever driven was 130mph on a banked racing
circuit at the helm of a V8-powered Vauxhall,
and even on smooth tarmac in a modern car
designed to cope, it was mildly terrifying.
Southport’sforgotten past
Gr8 Life magazine 9
I can’t even begin to imagine what it
would have been like going faster still on sand,
driving a racing monster with no airbags,
traction control or ABS - things which weren’t
invented until decades later - and surviving to
tell the tale.
In 1926, when most people’s experience of
motoring was a bumble down the backroads
in an Austin Seven, seeing Henry Segrave
screaming down the sands in his Sunbeam
Tiger must have been an epic sight. Record-
breakingly epic, in fact.
Sir Henry O’Neil de Hane Segrave was, to
borrow the cliché, a chap cast of the right
stuff. Eton-educated, a First World War
fi ghter pilot and a Grand Prix winner, he was
exactly the sort of stiff-upper-lip yet heroic
character you’d likely encounter in a Biggles
adventure story, and as such ideally qualifi ed
for the risky business of breaking land speed
records. To this day he’s the only person who’s
ever held the land and water speed records
simultaneously, and was actually killed at
just 33 setting his fi nal water speed record
on Lake Windermere. After hitting a log at
98mph and crashing, he was recovered from
the lake while still unconscious, and awoke
in hospital to ask of the state of “his men”
who’d helped him in the attempt.
He stayed conscious just long enough to
be informed he’d broken the record, dying
of lung haemorrhages less than half an hour
later. You couldn’t make it up.
Yet it’s always his fi rst record, the one he
set on March 16, 1926 that sticks out in the
mind. It wasn’t an easy record to break - on
his third run, Segrave hit a gulley, sending
his Sunbeam into the air for 49 feet - but
he managed to eake 152.33mph out of the
V12-engined, twin-supercharged Tiger, which
he’d christened Ladybird on account of its red
paint. Despite it being the fastest anybody had
ever driven, it was an event which attracted
few spectators.
GR8Life would like to thank Edwina Gibney, John Baker-Courtenay’s daughter, for her help with information on the Sunbeam Tiger and the Southport land speed record.
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10 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
The car, which is now part of a private
collection of classic cars owned by an American
enthusiast, was also the last land speed record
contender to also be a competitive machine on
the nation’s racing circuits, and owed its speed
not only to the driver but also the immense
punch offered up by its 350bhp V12 engine.
Journalist Wille Green, one of the few lucky
enough to drive the machine, said:
“This is one of the gutsiest, most torquey and
powerful engines I’ve ever sat behind and even
when you throw in the Alfa P3 and the Napier
Railton for comparison, with big superchargers,
you can sometimes get surge in a corner but the
Tiger’s throttle response is impeccable in this
respect. There is just instant, solid, vast power
on tap.”
Even though the Southport record was
smashed a month later, when John Parry-
Thomas pounded along Pendine Sands in Wales
at 171mph, it took more than 60 years before
someone was able to make the Sunbeam go any
faster, when the late John Baker-Courtenay took
it to 157.44mph on the runway at RAF Elvington
in Yorkshire. It’s his run, which attracted the
attention of the world’s press back in 1990,
which is likely to remain the ultimate tribute to
Segrave and his incredible antics in Southport.
It is one of the most daring things ever to
be done in the northwest, yet in 2011 the only
reminder you’re likely to fi nd of Sir Segrave’s
speed record is in the name of The Henry
Segrave, a pub on Lord Street. With no museum
exhibits, statues or plaques to commemorate
the resort’s brief claim to being the fastest place
on Earth, it is a record that’s almost slipped
from memory entirely.
As records go it’s one that deserves more
recognition than it has right now, and it’s high
time that we in the northwest did something
to remember this brief but brave, bold and
ultimately successful attempt to nab the world
land speed record on Southport beach.
Statue, anyone?
Gr8 Life magazine 11
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Any lady who has been to the races in recent
years has probably heard of Virginia Lee. Stocked
full of glamorous and elegant designer wear it has
the perfect outfi ts for such an occasion. Lee has
an eye for fashion and her customers trust her
knowledge and ability to guide them to the perfect
purchase.
Lee, who trained in fashion design in Chester
says, “I worked in fashion for years and managed
a shop for someone else. I then worked with my
husband for ten years but I decided a few years ago
I wanted to get back in fashion. It is what I love and
enjoy so I set up my own shop.”
Lee also only buys very few of each garment
which gives her customers the all important
exclusivity factor that many are looking for.
“I always look for designers with the ‘wow’
factor, I love unusual styles while keeping the
glamour,” Lee adds. “I also tend to buy natural
fabrics such as wool, silk and cashmere but will also
try newly created ones such as steel, woven very
fi nely into other fabrics.”
exclusiveGla!our
La Bottega Di Brunella Barbara Schwarzer Caroline
Annette Gortz Isabel De Pedro Annette Gortz
Gr8 Life magazine 2322 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
It is not just clothes Lee stocks, many ladies
go to see her to have hats and fascinators made
especially to match their outfi t. She also has leather
and man-made handbags, hats, scarves and
jewellery.
Lee’s jewellery is as spectacular as her clothes
and often incorporate Swarovoski crystals which
give that extra special feel to them. Lee says, “I
sometimes stock the occasional ‘take your breath
away’ items which are normally made by an up and
coming designer. Prices start at around £29 and
there is something to suit most tastes.”
Once or twice a year Lee puts on a charity
fashion show and has even been known to arrange
smaller shows for her clients and friends in their
own homes, all part of the service. Lee says, “I love
fashion and I love what I do.”
Virginia Lee • 8-9 Garrick Parade Lord Street • 01704 546584Clothes modelled by Mandy Garrity and Roz Tranfi eld.
Hair by “Changes” in Wallasey.Make-up by Roz Tranfi eld of the Beauty Centre in Wallasey.
Winner of Crown Salon 2011.
y p y
fashion show and has even been known to arrange
smaller shows for her clients and friends in their
own homes, all part of the service. Lee says, “I love
fashion and I love what I do.”
1704 546584Virginia Lee • 8-9 Garrick Parade Lord Street • 01Tranfi eld.Clothes modelled by Mandy Garrity and Roz T
Hair by “Changes” in Wallasey.in Wallasey.Make-up by Roz Tranfield of the Beauty Centre i
Mac by Gabi LautonTrousers by Rodika Zanlan
Isabel De Petro Isabel De Petro Gabi Lauton Ozlem Suer La Bottega Di Brunella
Gr8 Life magazine 2524 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Virginia Lee
Pages from Gr8life’s Spring 2011 edition; you can view back issues of the magazine online at www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Why Gr8life works ...Gr8life is not just a lifestyle magazine, it is YOUR
quarterly regional treasure trove of fantastic
addresses, shops, businesses and events sourced
for our readers to enjoy and truly discover.
One of Gr8life’s strengths is our attention to detail and the fact that most,
if not, all the photos are exclusive to us. Unlike many free magazines, Gr8life is
NOT a collection of pretty adverts but has real independent contents making
it an interesting and worthwhile read. People who read Gr8life will come to
the businesses featured in the magazine.
Take our fashion shoots... Gr8life affords a local business a unique window
showcasing THEIR collection in its pages rather than have national groups and
names diffi cult to fi nd.
If you see something you like in Gr8life, it will
be close to your home. That is our guarantee.
Recently we featured the fabulous spring
collection of Virginia Lee. Take a look at what Lee
Samuels, owner of the trendy store, said in her
letter to our editor.
Being seen in Gr8life works.
If you think you would like our team to visit you
and give your business a real window to over 20,000
homes then give us a call on 01704 392332 today for
an informal chat.
Gr8 Life magazine 13
In the Summer edition of Gr8life we featured a local dress hire business called Heaven Sent and the beautiful mother of the bride and wedding outfi ts it has to offer.
GlamourousGownsFor this edition we have returned to Heaven Sent with our
photographers, reporters and part-time local model Caroline
Meehan to help Gr8life showcase a few samples of the vast
collection of evening, party and prom dresses available to hire
or buy.
For those who don’t know about this hidden gem in Southport
town centre, Heaven Sent is owned by local resident Joann who
provides a discrete, professional and personal service to ladies in
the area.
14 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Designers include Mori Lee, Ronald Joyce,
Sherri Hill and many more and with Joann always
there to ensure your dress fi ts you perfectly you
cannot go wrong!
Jane Morris, a customer of Joann told
Gr8life, “I am so pleased I have found her. I used
to traipse round the shops trying to fi nd that
dream dress for a special occasion I attend each
year and I was always disappointed. I have even
had dresses made to measure yet have never
been as happy as when I went to see Joann.
She saves me a fortune and makes me look a
million pounds!”
Joann works on an appointment basis so
you have total one to one service!
Jane added, “She has a fantastic eye for
what suits people of every shape and size and
has persuaded me to try on lots of dresses I
would never normally dream of going near,
which turn out to be perfect! Now, I would
never go anywhere else. She is a real fi nd.”
Joann says, “I make sure no-one ever leaves
with a dress which doesn’t suit them perfectly
or fi t them properly. It is so important that these
beautiful dresses do my clients justice and make
them look and feel amazing.”
When you have to dress for a special
occasion treat yourself to a visit to Heaven
Sent. Please call 01704 547646 or visit www.
heavensentsouthport.com.
Gr8 Life magazine 15
1094908‘Ladies Fashion at its Best …’
Annette Gortz · Isabel de Pedro · Bitte KairandGabi Lauton · Barbara Schwarzer · Xenia Designs
Rodika Zanian · Butter · Chie Mihara
8/9 Garrick Parade · Lord Street · SouthportPR8 1RN • Tel 01704 546584
Virginia Lee
Rosalind Fashions
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Tel: 0151 924 7433
Stockists of Stockists of
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1101922
THE FLYINGWe automatically assume that if we or a loved one ever had an accident we would be carted off to hospital in an ambulance. There is however, another, far effi cient way of receiving treatment and getting to a hospital. However, with very little funding it relies solely on donations from the public and without those it may not be able to continue. David Simister investigates...
THE next fl ight to leave Blackpool
International could be the one that saves
your life. I’m not talking about the planes
packed with holidaymakers setting off for a
bit of sunburn in the south of Spain, even
though they’re taking off all around me on
the breezy day I’ve arrived at the airport. I’ve
come to see a much smaller machine which
does a far more important job, something
that’s quite literally a matter of life and
death. The North West Air Ambulance.
If you’re unlucky enough to end up
in a car crash and need urgent hospital
treatment, chances are it’ll be these guys,
operating from a windswept corner of the
airport away from all the tourists, who give
you the all important ride to hospital. The
Blackpool operation is one of two bases used
by the charity to come to the aid of stricken
residents of Sefton and West Lancashire,
and they’re ready to fl y 365 days a year.
Paul West, head of clinical operations
at North West Air Ambulance, says the
helicopter performs a vital role in the
emergencies it attends to right across
the region.
DOCTORS
Gr8 Life magazine 17
“We can get people to hospital much
quicker than a road ambulance, so we play a
crucial role. It costs us about £700 an hour
to operate the air ambulance, but you can’t
put a price on saving someone’s life.
“If you consider that we fly at 140mph
in a straight line, we can get people who’ve
suffered serious injuries to hospital a lot
faster than a road ambulance can. For
example, if you wanted to transfer a patient
from the hospital in Barrow-in-Furness to
the trauma centre in Preston, it would take
an hour and a half if you did the journey by
road. We can do that in the air ambulance
in 15 minutes.”
Then it emerges, a fuzzy dot in the skies
looking towards Preston, with a gentle
hum which grows to a mighty throb as it
approaches the airport. This bright yellow
Eurocopter is something I’ve seen countless
times before from its appearances on the
Internet and TV - it is, after all, the icon of
the entire charity’s operations - but seeing it
in the flesh for the first time is a humbling
experience. It might be dwarfed by the
airliners taxiing up the run way behind it,
but it does a far more valuable job than any
of them.
It’s also the size of the air ambulance that
allows it to pack the punch it does when
it’s responding to emergencies; hanging
on the wall of the portacabin used to keep
the crews entertained between missions,
there’s a stunning photograph of it poised
neatly on the narrowest of footpaths beside
a tarn in the Lake District. By being both
big enough to carry a fully-trained team of
medical professionals and small enough to
land in the trickiest of spots, the North West
Air Ambulance’s machines can get to an
emergency unbelievably quickly.
Neil Airey, the helicopter’s pilot, tells me:
“This is a state-of-the art air ambulance
that allows us to cover the area from Carlisle
to Crewe, and it’s a very modern, reliable
machine. Doing tricky landings is a daily
part of the job, but it’s a very easy machine
to fly. The important thing is getting
18 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
patients to hospital in what we call
‘the golden hour’, and once we arrive,
we can get fairly close to the patient,
although urban areas can be more of a
problem because you can’t always land
on the main street.
“The important thing is speed,
because once we load up a patient
into the ambulance, we can get them
to a hospital in ten minutes. When the
bell rings here in Blackpool, we can be
airborne in the space of four minutes,
and be over in Southport three minutes
after that. It makes a big difference.”
But the big difference which really
keeps the air ambulance flying is the
one you can make, because it relies on
donations from the public to help pay the
£4m it costs to operate the service every
year. Fundraising activities take place
right across the north west, including
Sefton and West Lancashire, which help
create the cash to let the North West Air
Ambulances get on with what they do
best; saving lives. There are also charity
shops dotted across the region, including
one on Tulketh Street in Southport, and
a region-wide lottery which you can
access from the charity’s website (North
West Air Ambulance get a portion of the
prize fund, so everybody wins).
Weirdly, North West Air Ambulance
isn’t a service I’d ever want to use,
because it would almost certainly involve
being horribly injured and in need of
urgent medical treatment. But if I ever
did end up in a nightmare scenario like
that, I’d want those magnifcent men
(and women) in their flying machines
to be whizzing my way, and I reckon so
would you.
Your life could depend on it.
Head online to our website to see David
Simister’s video report on the North West
Air Ambulance. For more information
on the North West Air Ambulance
visit the charity’s website online at
www.northwestairambulance.com.
Gr8 Life magazine 19
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DISCOVER
FORMBY
When many people think of Formby they conjure up images of the beautiful pinewoods and National Trust nature reserve. These age-old woods are home to the protected red squirrel species and lead the way to the beautiful Formby coastline and sand dunes which we are very lucky to have on our doorstep. Behind these popular attractions however, is a bustling village full of independent shops, restaurants and businesses all with something different to offer. Gr8life took a trip to this little coastal town to meet the people who make Formby the inviting and friendly place that it is.
Gr8 Life magazine 21
22 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Visit www.formbyhallgolfresort.co.ukor call 01704 875 699 to book.Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, Southport Old Road, Formby,Merseyside L37 0AB
The Restaurant at
Formby Hall
F R O M T H E G R I L L
Formby Grill Gourmet Burger, Crisp Bacon £12.95
& Melted Cheddar, Homemade Slaw, Hand Cut Chips
8oz Hand Cut Sirloin, Vine Roasted Tomatoes, £17.95
Garlic Infused Flat Cap Mushroom, Hand Cut Chips
8oz Hand Cut Fillet, Vine Roasted Tomatoes £20.95
Garlic Infused Flat Cap Mushroom, Hand Cut Chips
Formby Mixed Grill, Rump & Gammon Steak, £21.50
Black & White Pudding, Sausage, Fried Egg & Chips
Homemade Duck Cake, Plum Sauce £6.50
Chicken Liver Parfait, Onion Marmalade & Brioche £5.95
PASTA & RISOTTOSmoked Haddock, Leek Risotto & Duck Egg £11.95
King Prawn Linguini, Tomato, Chilli & Coriander £12.95
MAIN COURSE MEATTarragon Chicken, Pancetta Mash & Dijon Sauce £13.95
Pan Roasted Pork Cutlet, Apple Dauphinoise £14.50
FROM THE SEABaked Whole Plaice, Rosemary Roasted Jackets £16.95
Moules Marinieres, Mussels in White Wine £12.50
DESSERTSSticky Toffee Pudding, Honeycomb Ice Cream £5.50
Hot Chocolate Brownie, Vanilla Pod Ice Cream,
Chocolate Sauce £6.50
Presenting amouthwatering sample
of our new menu...
...perfection on a plateBooking essential
1101
886
AC RN
35 Three Tuns Lane, FormbyTel 01704 877220
www.acornkitchensformby.co.uk
1101
587
KITCHENS & BEDROOMS Ltd
Formby’s longest established kitchen company
- Established 1987
I provide fl owers for every occasion including:• Weddings• Funeral and sympathy fl owers• Special occasions• Event & Corporate Floristry• Anniversaries• Christmas Decoration Service
Why choose Flowerstyle By Laurie?• Award winning fl orist• Same day delivery• Quality fl owers guaranteed• Contemporary fl oral designer
Flowers that dare to be different
Contact me or call into my studio to see some of my beautiful arrangements. With an attractive mixture of fresh, exotic and unusual fl ower designs your choice is endless... whatever the occasion
DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE6 Ryeground Lane • Formby • L37 7EQ
01704 872000www.fl owerstylebylaurie.co.uk
1101313
Acorn Kitchens don’t employ hard sale sales people and will be involved with a project from start to fi nish. Owners Ben Howes and Steve Penter have been employed in the kitchen industry all their lives, from the manufacturing aspect to the fi tting of kitchens for most of the top kitchen companies, and for more than 20 years, supplying and fi tting kitchens and bedrooms from their own Formby showroom.. They have worked together all their working lives starting at the age of 17, when they served their apprenticeship together, to the present day. Unlike many kitchen companies, Ben and Steve carry out all the work themselves. They will be 100% involved with your project from start to fi nish, they plan it, they design it and they fi t it. You will be invited to the showroom to view your kitchen or bedroom on the latest computer technology available, and you can see your dream kitchen or bedroom in fantastic photo-realism graphics before your eyes. Ben says, “We are very proud of the reputation we have built over the last twenty years and have many satisfi ed customers.”
Acorn KitchensTel: 01704 877220 • 33 Three Tuns Lane, Formby www.acornkitchensformby.co.uk
Owner Ben Howes
Laurie Spencer has been making wedding days perfect and arranging beautiful fl oral displays for twenty-four years. Now, former Crosby fl orist Sarah Cooke has joined Laurie, Karen and Nic and together they offer a second - to - none bespoke service for weddings, funerals, corporate events and arrangements for all occasions.Laurie says, “The philosophy has always been to think outside the box and to design displays which have the wow factor. Now, Sarah has joined me and we make a great team ensuring we can produce the best service for our clientele. Collectively we have over 70 years of fl oristry experience and Sarah has a wide range of expertise within the industry to compliment Laurie’s skills and vision. Laurie adds, “The business is expanding and developing, something which I am very proud about in this economic situation and together the team and I can keep moving the business forward.”
Flowerstyle by LaurieTel: 01704 872000 • 6 Ryeground Lane, Formby www.fl owerstylebylaurie.com
Owner Laurie Spencer and Sarah Cooke
Gr8 Life magazine 23
Dermal Spa’s ethos is simply that you should be able to pamper yourself in a warm and friendly environment and in the most luxurious of surroundings.They offer a wide range of beauty treatments at the highest of standards to woman and men.Owners Paul, Sam & Caroline say, “We do everything from head to toe, and our aim is to make Dermal Spa a one stop shop. People can come in and get a spray tan followed by a blow-dry while having their nails manicured - it’s all about convenience.The salon has a big personality and a team of professionals ready to assist you in anyway they can.Paul says, “Why not try our brand new state of the art sunbeds. £2 for 6mins, £3 for 9mins, £4 for 12mins for a golden sun kissed glow. See you soon!”
Dermal SpaTel: 01704 834555 • 130 Church Road, Formby www.130dermalspa.com
The friendly staff of Dermal Spa
This family run jewellers has been established for 35 years and pride themselves on a fi rst rate one to one service. The business was fi rst set up in Leyland in 1977 and then later in Formby and offer all manner of jewellery services. From remodelling, repairs, cleaning and valuations to a full range of watches and gold and silver jewellery Atkinson’s can cater for everyone. They can also source rhinestones and crystals for costume jewellery and precious stones to be added to a special setting. Owner Barry Atkinson says, “My friend mentioned setting up in Formby to me years ago and so I thought I would give it a try as it was handy for our family. We are a very friendly team and our staff have worked for us for years. They never leave!”
Atkinsons JewellersTel: 01704 832056 • Unit 3, The Gallery, Furness Avenue, Formby
Owner Barry and Lynda
24 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Azure Dental believe in confi dent smiles. Worn, discoloured, broken or missing teeth can lead to discomfort, eating diffi culties and cosmetic issues. Azure offer a full range of general, restorative and cosmetic treatments to regenerate your mouth back to complete health and function so that your teeth can last a lifetime. Azure Dental can help with the following treatments:• Comprehensive Healthy Mouth Assessments• Fresh Breath treatments• White Teeth to bring the sparkle out in your smile• Straight Teeth utilising invisible braces to realign your smile• Fixed Replacement Teeth using the latest dental implant technology to restore your smile.This friendly and professional practice is perfect if you would like a new dentist, a problem resolved or your smile enhanced and also expect clinical and technical excellence from people who are reassuringly experienced.
Azure DentalTel: 01704 330210 • 6 The Beacons, 1 School Lane, Formby • www.azuredental.co
Azure Dental staff with Principal Dentist Dr Dan Hines
Heaven for any horse lover, The Bridge Inn Saddlery is stocked full of everything any keen hobbiest or horse owner could need. From nurturing the interest of a young learner to supplying the needs of an experienced rider the saddlery stocks horse feed, blankets, rider clothing, boots and whips. Owner Ruth Moon says, “I went to university and studied Animal Science. Then I started to work in a tack shop and loved it so much I decided to open my own shop. As well as everything horse related we also stock a range of outdoor clothing, wellies, feed for chickens, dogs and guinea pigs and worm and fl ea treatment for cats and dogs.”
The Bridge Inn SaddleryTel: 01704 833222 • Moss Side, Formby
Emma Wilkinson and owner Ruth Moon
Gr8 Life magazine 25
INTERIOR
INSPIRATION
26 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Are your teeth looking discoloured, worn out and nearly extinct?Don’t let them go the way of the dinosaurs... let azuredental bring your smile back to life!
Tel: 01704 330210 • 6 The Beacons, 1 School Lane, Formby L37 3LNEmail: [email protected] • Visit our website: www.azuredental.co
“Hi Dan, just writing to say how pleased I am with my recent dental treatment. The fi ve discoloured fi llings in my front teeth look great (in fact you can’t see them now!). Thanks to you and your very pleasant staff I now have a big smile again. The whitening looks nice and natural for someone of my age. I should like to continue with all my future routine dental care with you.”Best Wishes, P.S.
“Many thanks for the treatment I have just fi nished at your practice. The fi nished result was amazing - the technology and expertise involved really made it a pleasant experience. Can’t express enough thanks.”
M.C.
1101335
Practice Membership Plans available for preventative dental care from £13.50 pcm0% FINANCE AVAILABLE
Contact us NOW for a FREE no obligation consultation to discuss how we
can help you achieve dental health and confi dence
Dermal SpaHair · Beauty · Nails · Sunbeds · Colonic · Spray Tanning
Dermal Spa is a friendly top-to-toe salon in Formby offering everything under one roof! With realistic prices, a great service and a welcoming smile, your visit will be one to remember. We have a state-of-the-art tanning centre, all beauty treatments, nails and hairdressing treatments plus the Dermal Spa clinic offering colonic hydrotherapy, semi-permanent make-up, Botox and restylane. We also run a diet
clinic which offers an appetite suppressants weight loss program run by Dr Youll.
OFFERS FOR ALL GR8 LIFE READERSLuxury Spa pedicure inc. polish . £20Dermalogica 45min facial . . . . . . £20Shellac 14 day nail polish . . . . . . £15Hair colour, cut and blow dry . . . £50Cut and blow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £25Colonic hydrotherapy . . . . . . . . . £45Subject to availability valid until 30th November 2011.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
1101336
Salon opening hoursMonday . . . . 9am - 8pmTuesday . . . 9am - 8pmWednesday 9am - 8pmThursday . . . 9am - 8pmFriday . . . . . 9am - 8pmSaturday . 9am - 5.30pm
Gift vouchers available
We accept cash, Visa,Master Card and Amex
130 Church Road(nr The Grapes pub)
Formby L37 3NH
Telephone .01704 834555Mobile . . . .07950 471380www.130dermalspa.com
INTERIOR
INSPIRATION
Anybody wanting design advice with no idea where to start can contact Tessuto Design owner Kate Hilliker who has a wealth of knowledge in her fi eld and can project manage a redesign of your house from start to fi nish. Or, if you want the tiniest of details changing but aren’t sure how, she can also help with that.
Kate has worked with interior designers since leaving art college and was part of the original Laura Ashley Design Team. Kate, who has also worked as an interior designer in Hewitts in Southport, opened Tessuto last Christmas.
She tells GR8 Life: “The mainstay of the business is interior design and I will go into people’s homes and put schemes together and project manage them. It has taken nine years to get my team together, which includes builders, plumbers, painters and decorators. I have clients who come and see me and say they have bought a new house and want it redesigned from top to bottom. But other people may just want a window frame interior designed. The choice is up to the client.
“When we opened the shop I wanted to make interiors accessible. Often people are frightened to go into interior design shops, but here they are free to browse. I think design should be accessible to everyone.”
The retail showroom has furniture, lighting and accessories and they offer the best of British, Scandinavian and European design.
Furniture and accessories on sale have been chosen to fi t in well with contemporary modern and traditional homes. Brands they offer include Established & Sons, Rapture & Wright and Block.
Everyone wants a beautiful house but sometimes it is very diffi cult to know where to begin. Interior design can be a tricky thing which can throw up all kinds of questions. What colour scheme would be best, where should the furniture go? Wood fl ooring or carpets, blinds or curtains? Sometimes it is best to leave it to the experts and watch your dream house unfold.
Gr8 Life magazine 27
28 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
The Formby shop has a strong London infl uence as Kate says she has taken a lot of inspiration from what she has seen in the city when visiting, in particular the Brick Lane boutique stores.
This infl uence comes through in some of the furniture on offer at the Formby showroom where you can buy Vincent Sheppard furniture which is especially popular in London restaurants and in particular those of Gordon Ramsey.
In fact at Tessuto, on Harington Road, you can also buy wallpapers and fabrics from some of the world’s best design houses, including J and GP Baker and Busby and Busby.
The shop also sells lots of paints from the best quality paint manufacturers, including Paint & Paper Library, National Trust Paints and Cole & Son. They can make up colours to your specifi cations too and this year, Kate, who has done work for several celebrity clients, believes the colours becoming increasingly popular are soft greys and oranges and feels there is a movement away from hi-gloss and leather.
And for those who want to extend their design plans out into the garden, Kate has developed the outside space at the back of the shop, which was previously full of overgrown brambles and ivy, into a fabulous showroom full of inspiration.
Kate and her team can really do anything, as little or as big as you wish and their expertise extends to building outdoor rooms, from sourcing beautiful plants and furniture to full landscape gardening.
Kate says, “Your home and garden is probably the most important thing you own and it needs to be perfect.
Tessuto Design, which has free parking in front of the shop and at the side is open Monday to Friday and on a Saturday morning.
Tessuto Design, 70 Harington Road, Formby, L37 1NU Telephone: 01704 832526Website: www.tessutodesign.co.uk
Gr8 Life magazine 29
1101127
Gr8 Life magazine 31
WOO
DVAL
EWe couldn’t visit Formby without a mention of this historic RAF station which opened on the 7th December 1941.
Constructed as an all-weather night fi ghter airfi eld for the defence of Liverpool, RAF squadrons were brought up from the south of England to ‘rest’ for short periods, during which time they defended Merseyside.
Since 1971, RAF Woodvale has remained a training station and hosts the annual Woodvale International Rally. This is a charitable event that originally began as a model aircraft show which has grown over the years to include car clubs with both classic cars, vintage cars and other vehicle displays. Now in its 38th year Woodvale rally is a large two day event held on the fi rst weekend in August and is hugely popular with tanks, spitfi res and huge crowds desending for the weekend. 1036293
FORMBY’S
COASTAL DELIGHTS
32 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Formby is best known for it’s beautiful pinewoods, coastline and red squirrels.
If you choose to take a walk around the woods you are in with a good chance of spotting one of our red furry friends or even a Natterjack Toad if you are lucky. Formby is only one of a few sites in England where they will breed and later in the evening the male’s distinctive song can be heard, known locally as the ‘Bootle Organ’. In spring the males gather at the edge of shallow pools in the dune slacks and sing to attract a mate. The Sefton Coast and Countryside Service are working hard to keep these pools from growing over so that that they are ready each spring for this annual event. The pine trees, which seem to touch the sky, are so tall they tower over any other vegetation and are particularly beautiful when the sun fi lters though or they are covered in snow.
There are many marked trails to follow taking you around all the woodlands and dog walkers can spend a few hours tiring out the family pets before heading home. The children also fare well with many organised activites taking place in the holidays to keep them busy including orienteering, trails and treasure hunts.
Formby’s coastline draws visitors from far and wide with a beautiful beach, clear sea and sand dunes perfect for picnics and sunbathing in good weather. The historic beach is the location of the fi rst lifeboat station in the UK which may have been established perhaps as early as 1776. The foundations of the last of the lifeboat station buildings remain on the beach.
FORMBY’S
COASTAL DELIGHTS
Gr8 Life magazine 33
34 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Atkinson Jewellers Ltd Craftsman Jewellers since 1977
Suppliers of Ladies & Gents Jewellery and Watches in Silver and 18ct & 9ct GoldA wide selection of Clocks including Mantle and Grandfather
Our services include:• Jewellery Repairs and Cleaning• Valuations on the premises• Precious Stones supplied and set• Gem setting• Rhodium Plating on site• Imitation stones
3 The GalleryFurness AvenueFormby L37 4NN01704 832056
1101589
Freshfield Kitchens & Bedrooms Ltd Showroom 31b Stephenson Way, Formby Trading Estate (second left after Tesco), Merseyside, L37 8EG
TELEPHONE:01704 875155
GREAT OFFERS ON APPLIANCESCALL INTO OUR SHOWROOM FOR FREE DESIGN ADVICE, IDEAS AND SERVICE
AND A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKPROJECT MANAGED INSTALLATION SERVICE INCLUDING ELECTRICAL GAS & BUILDING WORK
OVER 25 YEARS OF HIGH QUALITY KITCHEN DESIGN & INSTALLATIONMANY BEDROOM STYLES ON OFFER INCLUDING SLIDING DOORS
1101955
FRESHFIELDKitchens & Bedrooms Ltd
MODERN • TRADITIONAL • CONTEMPORARY • QUALITY UNITS
EXAMPLE14 rigid built made to measure units, 18mm with solid backs and 2mm
pvc edging. Choice of 40mm
worktops. All doors and drawers,
soft closing.ALL FITTED FOR ONLY £4499
INC VAT
5 The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, Formby L37 3PX • T: 01704 879595
EFFORTLESS WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
1101
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LADIES FASHIONS AND ACCESSORIES
AughtonWines
Email: [email protected]
46 CHURCH ROADFORMBY
! 01704 87110433 QUEENS ROAD
FORMBY! 01704 872062
1101
437
Established 1989
OVER 300WINES STOCKED
Friendly Service andAdvice always on offer
BEERS FROM ALLOVER THE WORLD
FREE GLASS HIRE • SALE OR RETURN • FREE DELIVERY
The business was established in Southport in 1989 by Martin and Judith Horn and has had a store in Formby for the last 20 years. Stocking a wide variety of wines from 3 for £10 Pinot Grigio to award winning Australian Shiraz and Grand Cru champagnes. Martin and Judith say, `Trying to keep all budgets happy and stocking wines that are a bit different from the usual supermarket offerings has been the key to our success. We also stock a wide range of imported beers and real ales which are very popular.” The couple are seen here holding top recommendations, Araldici Gavi and Novas Carmenere/Cab sauv. Both have won Wine Challenge gold medals this year and both have £3 off.
Aughton WinesTel: 01704 871104 • 46 Church Road, Formby
Martin and Judith Horn
Shopping for clothes isn’t always easy, but at Infi nity Cathy has made fi nding your wardrobe essentials a pleasant experience. With collections from Emreco, Evalinka, Gelco, Lebek, Peruzzi, Pomodoro, Poppy, Robell, Steilmann, Signature and Tia there is something to suit every body. The labels stocked combine the latest fashion with timeless pieces at an affordable price. Start your Christmas shopping early and choose from a wide range of handbags, purses, leather gloves, scarves, slippers and jewellery.
Infi nity ClothingTel: 01704 879595 • 5 The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, Formby
Owner Cathy Milner
Gr8 Life magazine 35
Blu Kangaroo is a children’s designer clothing boutique offering something for girls boys and babies. Owner Christine Campbell opened the boutique three and half years ago and says, “ I worked on the airlines for years but we were always being threatened with redundancies and it was such an insecure job to have. I had always wanted to open up my own children’s boutique for years and so thought why not now?” The shop stocks many prestige brands including Kate Mack, DKNY, Lilly and Sid and Moschino and even has a handy reservation club to ensure that all important item doesn’t disappear!
Blu KangarooTel: 01704 832 043 • Unit 1, The Galleries, Halsall Road, Formbywww.blukangaroo.co.uk
Owner Christine Campbell
Mysitefi nder.co.uk is a brand new website which offers its visitors the chance todownload a digital guide of the 150 best kept secret websites you did not know existed.
There are fi ve categories within the guide(Leisure, music and photos, multimedia, games, social networks and the unusual) and you will soon be able to use amazing sites giving youaccess to unknown resources, making life on the Web a renewed pleasure.And all at the low, low price of £1.49 ONLY!
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FORMBY’S FAMOUS
ASPARAGUS
36 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Owner Christine Campbell
FORMBY’S FAMOUS
ASPARAGUS
Gr8 Life magazine 37
Before the 1840’s Formby’s coastal area was considered good for nothing other than than the occasional rabbit warren. However, that all changed when large amounts of fertilizer became available with the construction of the Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway in 1848. Local farmers were then able to cultivate the land to grow Asparagus and it developed into the business it is today, once being so popular that it was served to passengers on the luxury liners leaving from Liverpool. It is estimated that some 200 acres was devoted to asparagus growing around Formby Point in the early part of this century, notable amongst the growers were the Aindow family who farmed the “Willow Slacks” around Lifeboat Road and later at Victoria Road.
Asparagus has no fat or cholesterol, is high in folic acid and a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C and even better, contains less than four calories per spear.So what makes Formby asparagus so special? It has won many awards in the past and is accredited with being one of the tastiest varieties available. It is also considered the freshest you can get your hands on if buying locally as most is now imported and so, as you can imagine, has been through quite a bit before it gets to your plate!The traditional form of asparagus growing ceased at Formby Point four years ago when Joan Winterbourne (nee Aindow) died, however, The National Trust is considering a range of options to breathe new life into the former asparagus fi elds using a variety methods.
Beautiful long eyelashes are something most
ladies long for and we spend hours titivating
our short stubby God givens with mascara
and eyelash serums to make the most of what
we have.
But now lash extensions are not just for the
rich and famous they have become an integral
part of the beauty regime for everyone. In just
a couple of relaxing hours they solve all our
eyelash dilemmas and are the perfect treat for
any lady in need of a pamper and a stunning
beauty make over.
Lash extensions are semi permanent lashes
painstakingly placed on your individual lashes to
add length and thickness. And, the good news is
with infi lls to replace natural lash regrowth they
can last for many months and there is no need
for mascara. What more could a girl ask for?
Naturally, on behalf of our readers, we at
Gr8Life simply had to try them out. Cue staff
volunteer – beauty obsessive, Stephanie, from
our editorial team was the lucky lady. Suzanne
Barclay of Xtreme Lashes™ is fully trained and
qualifi ed in the application and is recognised as
one of the leading technicians in the area. She
provides the Xtreme Lashes™ service from her
beauty studio in Maghull or will even do home
visits by appointment. For our test Suzanne
brought her equipment to the Gr8Life offi ce in
Lord Street.
Our volunteer Steph takes over, “I had
a consultation beforehand which was really
thorough. Suzanne asked about my lifestyle and
my beauty regime, basically so she could ascertain
whether I would be a suitable candidate or not.
I then chose the look I wanted. There are three
levels and I went for medium, as I thought the
thicker longer lashes may have been a bit too
much for the daytime offi ce wear.”
The transformation begins with Steph laying
down and listened to soothing music as Suzanne
skilfully applied the lashes. “It was so relaxing,”
Steph says. It was lovely having my eyes lashes
tickled, well that’s what it felt like. I was at ease
and enjoyed the whole procedure. From start
to fi nish it took two and a half hours but as I
was quite relaxed and happy and the time just
fl ew by.”
The fi nal result was luscious, long, thick lashes
and Steph was certainly very pleased. “They are
fabulous! They feel really soft and light so I don’t
notice them being there at all, but when I look
in the mirror I think, ‘Wow.’ Steph added, “I am
defi nitely going to get mine in-fi lled as the results
are amazing and not having to apply and take off
mascara every day is just so liberating!”
To take yourself off the mascara treadmill
this summer and enjoy months of luscious,
long lashes contact Suzanne for more details
on 07806 723896 or visit her website
www.xtremebeauty.co.uk or email: info@
xtremebeauty.co.uk.
IT’S ALL IN THE EYES
Every day there are wonderful developments in the beauty world and one of the latest is lash extensions. Here at Gr8life we decided to put them to the test.
Before
After
Application
38 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
On entering Sophie Maddox’s Southport boutique you are not quite sure where to look fi rst. There are rows of beautiful dresses, intricately made and all examples of the beautiful work of Sophie herself.
Gr8 Life magazine 39
The twenty four year old from Formby is
making a name for herself in the North West for
hand making and designing beautiful bespoke
occasion wear. She says, “I have always wanted
to be a fashion designer for as long as I can
remember.” Nervous about starting out on her
own? “No I’ve been working towards it for a
couple of years and had this goal in my head
so have been eager to do it.”
40 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
After fi nishing school Sophie went to
Southport College to study a national diploma
in Art and Design and then went to UCLAN
University to study a BAHons in Fashion Design.
She adds, “I then did a year’s placement
with a company in Manchester designing
knitwear for high street shops such as Marks &
Spencer, Evans, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge
and supermarkets such as TU Sainsburys, Tesco
and George @ Asda. After completing my
degree they asked me to go back and work full
time as a design assistant.
So with an already successful beginning to
her career what made Sophie start out on her
own? She answers matter-of-factly, “It’s what
I have always wanted to do and there is no
better time than the present so I put my mind
to it and got results.”
Gr8 Life magazine 41
Sophie specialises in occasion wear such
as prom dresses, party dresses, bridesmaids
and wedding dresses. She adds, “ I like a
lot of texture in the dresses I make and love
the fabric to be exquisite and stand out for
people to say its amazing.” As her business
is completely independent there are no rules
when it comes to what the customer can have
and Sophie can design anything that is asked
of her, something which, in a world of mass
produced fashion, is a welcome change.
Sophie obviously revels in the freedom her
own business gives her and says, “Everyday
is different and I love what I do, I get great
job satisfaction and love to put a smile on
someone’s face and make them feel great!”
Along with all the things she has achieved
so far associated with someone so young
starting up their own business, Sophie is also
the winner of an extremley prestigious award.
42 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
While in the final year at university she
entered a competition to design a print for
a dress for New look and The BBC’s Clothes
Show Live. Sophie was shortlisted to the final
three and then won, ‘Textile Designer of the
Year’. Her winning print design then went on
sale throughout New Look stores in the UK.
With so many achievements already, are
there any ambitions left for Sophie to fufil? “To
open a wedding boutique with my sister, so
brides can design there own dresses. To make
amazing dresses that will grace Paris couture
fashion week.”
Well, you can’t get much bigger than that.
Gr8 Life magazine 43
3-7 Wayfarers Arcade, Lord StreetSouthport, PR8 1NT
T: 01704 513 393www.cocoboutique.co.uk
An exclusive range of Autumn Fashion
accessories and perfume• Matthew Williamson• Juicy Couture• D&G• Gina• Pinko• Creed• Diane von Furstenberg• Milly• TIBI• Missoni• Gas Bijoux• Crumpet• Buba
• Meghan Fabulous• Patrizia Pepe• Twenty8Twelve• Halston Heritage• Amen• Wildfox• Alice by Temperley• Christian Lacroix• Blauer • Byblos• Fabiana Filippi• Moschino and many more
1101
133
Coco-Boutique Southport
Coco_Boutique1
• Antique and older style furniture bought and sold
• We also sell on a commission
• Full stripping & polishing service
• Buy from us and we can restore
• Door stripping service
1101
128
THE ASSOCIATION OFART & ANTIQUES DEALERS
WEST LANCS ANTIQUESVictoria Mill, Victoria Street,Burscough, Lancashire, L40 0SNTel: 01704 894634 Fax: 01704 894486Email: [email protected]: Mon-Fri, 9.00-5.30 • Sat, 11.00-4.30
LARGE ANTIQUE WAREHOUSE
- OPEN TO TRADE AND PUBLIC -
TAKE ADVANTAGEOF THE
MARKET ANDBUY ANTIQUES
AT KNOCK-DOWN PRICES
The Southport Flower Show was,
yet again, a resounding success
with over 70,000 fl ocking to see
what was on offer.
Gr8life photographer
Martyn Snape was there to
capture the beautiful scenes at
the event.
The theme this year was Vintage which
was embraced by gardeners, landscapers and
exhibiters in many different shapes and forms.
With a dog show, duck show, medieval
jousting and a food presentation it wasn’t
just about fl owers and displays, although the
eighteen show gardens drew huge crowds.
There was also celebrities galore with David
Bellemy, Coronation Street actors and ex Atomic
Kitten Liz MaClarnon all there to greet guests,
sign autographs and pose for photographs.
Liz McClarnon presents the Brockhouse Trophy for Best in Show to Paul Richards Garden Design
Dawn Jordan and Hazel McGregor of Midstream West Lancs relax in their 1930s vintage garden
Barton near Downholland based Rob Showering and daughter Lucy in their winning Glam Rock garden The beautiful home grown vegetables on display
Gr8 Life magazine 45
Show patron, David Bellamy, had a sweet
pea fl ower named after him and said: “It was
very unexpected. During the war, the sweet pea
was the last thing my mum let go. I used to try
and grow them but I never found them easy.”
There were also many winners to come out
of the show, Paul Richards won the Brockhouse
Trophy for the best exhibit as well as best show
garden.
Paul, of Halsall, near Southport, impressed
the judges with his classic design,which tied in
with the vintage theme of this year’s show. The
water was dyed black to give a refl ection of the
rest of the garden.
Ian Collins right and son Joshua Hardisty in their winning 1970s themed Suburban Garden
Ladies Day lunch
Greg Mook with his winning garden which was awarded a Silver medal.
46 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Paul said: “It feels great to have won and it
was wonderful to have recognition for all the
hard work we have done. The trophy is a tribute
to the skill and quality of the landscapers. It
was a surprise to come fi rst because you never
expect to win something like this.”
Chief Executive, David Jackson, said: “Our
feedback suggests that visitors, overwhelmingly,
had a highly enjoyable experience, which is our
main goal. People who have been coming for
years enjoyed the quality and the variety of the
experience. And fi rst time visitors were surprised
that it was so big and that there was so much
going on.”
Jeff Rawsthorne and John Baldwin celebrate a hat trick for Crosby Landscapes.
Claire Skidmore of Muddy Boots and the ornamental garden - On Moolight Bay - designed in support of the North West Air Ambulance charity.
Halsall based Peter Tinsley celebrates his success at last week’s Southport Flower Show.
Gr8 Life magazine 47
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On fi rst glance, it’s hard to believe that this
beautiful sprawling building, which curves
around the edge of the private courtyard
garden, started out as a tiny two up, two down
when owners Glenys and Rob Owens fi rst got
their hands on it.
“We tried to keep it all traditional,” Rob
tells Gr8Life, as he explains the extensions
were built to blend in with the original building
which has been there since the 1840s. Rather
than coming up with a new style they simply
“let the building talk” to them.
Having lived there for more than 20 years,
the couple have transformed the property
into a fi ve-bedroom family home with
countless bathrooms and some stunning
luxury additions.
On arrival the small, secluded
gateway to Scarisbrick’s Shaw
Gate Farm gives nothing
away, with its high wooden
fencing and creeping shrubs.
But as the gates open, it’s
clear that a true hidden gem
has been uncovered.
Natasha Young is lucky
enough to get a guided tour.Gr8 Life magazine 49
One attention-grabbing feature in particular
is the breathtaking swimming pool room. With
its calming lighting and decorative statues it
wouldn’t be out of place in a health spa, but
imagine it being a stone’s throw from your bed.
Vertical blinds in the roomy master bedroom,
which is accompanied by an en suite bathroom
with a sunken bath as well as a walk-in wardrobe,
draw back to unveil glass sliding doors that lead
into the pool room.
Described by Glenys as a “nice relaxing
retreat”, the heated pool is surrounded by
absorbent flooring to prevent slippery splashes,
as well as a whirlpool and sauna.
There’s also bags of poolside room to make
the most of the space with loungers and home
gym equipment, and the adjoining conservatory
lets in plenty of light.
Heat from the pool room spills out into
the conservatory, which is equipped with a
dark roof to help keep it warm, allowing it to
be a usable lounge area or an extra space to
entertain all year round.
Elsewhere in the property Rob also has his
own “retreat”, as a snooker room that’s perfectly
in keeping with the traditional vibe sits upstairs.
Wall mounted lamps and dark wooden
beams across the ceiling give off a cosy feel,
and the matching dark wooden shelving makes
enough storage space for a mini library.
The large size of the room is typical
throughout the property, with clutter free
bedrooms and living areas and plenty of storage
rooms and cupboards to keep everything
hidden and out of the way.
“It is very peaceful with everything hidden
away,” says Glenys, who opts for the house’s
main living room to relax in her spare time.
50 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
With a bay window overlooking the
beautiful garden surroundings, she adds:
“Everyone says that the living room is
so relaxing, and it is especially in the
evenings, but we also feel like that about
most of the house.”
The quaint property, which also has a
separate ‘granny flat’ that’s perfect for guests
with its own lounge, kitchen and dining
room, is also littered with modern touches
throughout.
From the laminate flooring in one guest
bedroom and heated towel rails and double
headed shower in it’s accompanying bathroom,
to the gas hobs and double assisted fan oven
that sit alongside the wooden beams in the
kitchen, the up to date twists never detract
from the classic style of the house.
Despite being electric, a fireplace
surrounded by stone and made to look like an
authentic wood burner also adds character to
the kitchen while combining old and new.
Outside, the garden area, which is
equipped with plenty of storage thanks to
sheds, a garage and workshop and an area to
park cars, is full of character with something
for everyone.
A small children’s play house and a carpeted
tree house with a zip line, as well as a pond
with a fountain compliment the simple lawn
and it’s surrounding trees and plants.
The high fences keep it closed off from the
outside streets and Glenys adds: “It’s really
secluded, it’s lovely. We look at it as a little bit
of paradise.”
Gr8 Life magazine 51
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For a taste of fresh homemade locally sourced food visit Thowd Boatman’s Cabin at Fettlers Wharf Marina
SERVING Breakfast’s, Hot Meals, Daily Specials, Traditional
Sunday Roast Lunches, Afternoon Tea, Cakes and Ice cream
Perfectly situated along the Rufford branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal in the little village of Rufford, the delightful tea room provides the ideal destination for visitors, walkers and cyclists to enjoy a well deserved break while tucking into freshly prepared food. The family run tea room opened in 2004 and has built up a varied menu including one of the families’ first offerings; Stewed Steak topped with Puff Pastry, which has been a constant favourite with visitors ever since. Celebrating the best of local produce the extensive and tasty menu includes a good choice; homemade breakfasts, light snacks, fresh salads, sandwiches, toasties and paninis. A selection of hot meals from roast chicken to individually baked quiches and daily specials including Lancashire hot pot, braised steak & onions, plate minced beef & onion and cheese & onion pies. Sundays at the tea room see traditional Sunday roast lunches being served with fresh vegetables, mashed and roast potatoes, homemade Yorkshire puddings all topped off with a jug of gravy. Hot and cold drinks are available including speciality teas and apple juice.
A real treat can be had by enjoying Afternoon Tea served on a traditional three tier cake stand offering a choice of sandwiches, sultana scones, strawberry preserve and clotted cream, fairy cakes and a pot of tea to finish, or simply tempt your self to a piece of carrot cake, or sample one of the other cakes or slices that are available on display. There is speciality ice cream from Bonds of Elswick of which vanilla through to the more adventurous Sleigh Ride and Rum & Raisin flavours are available. Boasting a traditional ambience and charm that sets it apart from other cafés, visitors can experience the relaxed, friendly and warm welcome they receive whilst browsing over traditional canal ware, jams, marmalades, chutneys and accompaniments that are for sale. Wayne and the staff pride themselves on excellent customer service: “It is a very traditional tea room and we look forward to seeing visitors return again and again”. 11
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I love eating out. I really do.
It is probably my favourite
past time and so when a new
restaurant comes on the scene
I get very excited.
The Gastro Bar and Grill opened
in early March this year and I
was soon through the doors
sampling the delights on offer.
Situated on Birkdale’s Liverpool Road the
restaurant has very modern décor but I couldn’t
help but feel as though there was a 50’s
infl uence in there somewhere. The most recent
time I have dined here (I have been several times
and am never disappointed) I had the smoked
liver pate to start and my husband Paul opted
for the Gastro Bar Antipasto.
The food is simple, perfect for people not
too adventurous and our starters were a good
size to then be followed by fi sh and chips and a
selection of puddings!
Whatever dish you choose you can be sure it
is done well with the highest care and attention
and with no unnecessary frills.
Situated on Birkdale’s Liverpool Road the
Gr8 Life magazine 53
So why did owner and successful
businessman Mike McComb decide to increase
his portfolio and open another eatery in the
area? “The beautiful village of Birkdale lends
itself to a high quality restaurant such as the
Gastro Bar & Grill,’ he says. “From a business
point of view I felt it would compliment a
couple of existing top class establishments
already within the locality.”
The business also benefits from a top class
chef in the form of Darren Smith, who, in
2002 won not just Young Merseyside Chef Of
The Year but also Young North West Chef Of
The Year.
Darren adds, “I met Mike over a year ago,
and started to plan the gastro from then. I
think the restaurant has the whole package of
a great restaurant, good food at great prices,
great front of house service and the mixture
of clientele is very varied.”
If you do visit the restaurant and have
been there pre Gastro you will see an
unbelievable change in not only the main
restaurant area but also the whole structure
of the building. Mike explains, “My main
business is property development and so
having the work done was no headache at
all. I have owned the building for over 20
years and had acquired the land at the back
so had the vision to extend the building and
make good use of the space that we had.
To create a good ambience and atmosphere
we designed the restaurant to be open-
plan with no obstacles or pillars of any kind
in the way.
He adds, “I wanted the kitchen to be an
exhibition area so diners could see the chefs
at work and their food being freshly prepared
and also those drinking at the bar area to
have a full view of the restaurant.”
Mike has strong views on what makes a
successful restaurant business and I think it is
fair to say he is more than qualified with his
wealth of experience.
54 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
The entrepreneur says, “The atmosphere has
got to be spot-on. I would expect a restaurateur
to recruit the best chefs and staff to provide the
best service. It is not always easy to create a
good atmosphere but I think our restaurant has
a tremendous feel to the place. The combination
of the décor, location, style of music, quality of
the food and professionalism of our staff all work
together thus making it a success.”
Mike and Darren’s well thought out
strategies seem to be working as Gastro is
buzzing with life and has proved very popular
with the locals. Darren also loves being able
to use his creative abilities and experiment
with a varied menu. “I would say the best
thing about working at the gastro bar is the
freedom to serve my own food,” Darren adds.
“I can put almost any cuisine on the menu
from Indian to Chinese.”
Gastro Bar and Grill has certainly succeeded in
what it set out to do and compliments Birkdale’s
selection of bars and restaurants perfectly.
Gr8 Life magazine 55
How often should I review my business insurance?
Conducting a regular review of insurance requirements could help to safeguard the stability of your business in the event of a major disaster such as a fire or flood. Businesses are dynamic: they grow and diversify, develop new revenue streams, purchase new stock and machinery and take on new contracts, all of which can affect the insurance cover required. A regular review of business insurance requirements will help ensure that your insurance cover meets the needs of your business.
For example, if your business moves to new premises, extends its business activities, purchases new machinery or makes any significant changes, a review of insurance cover is a sensible precaution.
What about business interruption cover, do I need to consider this?
As the name suggests, Business InterruptionInsurance (BII) covers a business for the loss of profits and increase in costs suffered by the business as a result of a fire or other insured event. Typical increased costs incurred after damage include renting and fitting out temporary premises, overtime payments to staff, payments to other companies to provide services or goods, hiring of plant and equipment, additional advertising and extra transport costs.
A periodic review of your BII cover is essential to ensure your business is adequately covered. If you haven’t reviewed your BII cover for some time you should consider reviewing your requirements as a matter of priority. After all, the worst time to discover your BII cover is not adequate is following a major fire or flood.
Why should I consider NFU Mutual for my business insurance?
At NFU Mutual we recognise that businesses are as individual as the people who run them - that’s why we tailor our business insurance policy to meet the needs of your business; from sole traders through to large commercial operations. Working so closely with our clients gives us a detailed understanding of
their businesses which enables us to respond quickly and accommodate their ever changing requirements. At the end of the day, we recognise that businesses are dynamic, which is why we can provide tailored insurance solutions to meet their needs as they grow and diversify over the years. ‘Defaqto one of the UK’s leading financial services research companies has given us 5 Star Ratings for overall quality to NFU Mutual’s retailer, tradesmen, office and commercial insurance products.
Contact details
For further details about NFU Mutual business insurance or to arrange a review of your business insurance requirements, please call Annabel Robson based in Southport on 01704 512810 or email [email protected] or visit nfumutual.co.uk/southport.
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Chris Bannister is a singer songwriter from Lancashire who’s new album Back Home has received rave reviews. Louisa Austin talks to him about his background, inspirations and plans for the future.
Gr8 Life magazine 57
Chris, who lives in Tarleton, is onto his forth
album now and is really making a name for
himself. He has been a professional musician
for over 20 years performing many years ago
in the band Johnny and the Fox, and locally in
a duo called Crash.
Recently he has put together an album of
John Denver classics, the American country
artist who died in 2007. “I always liked John
Denver’s music when I was young, I loved his
voice and, coming from an urban environment I
was very inspired by his songs about the natural
world. People have always said my vocal style
reminds them of John so in late 2009 I started
performing a show featuring his music. It’s
not a tribute show as such, not in the modern
sense at least, it’s just me performing music
that inspires me and paying homage to a great
artist who has to some extent, been neglected
over the years.” He adds, “To be honest, my
own music is not dissimilar to John’s, it has a
strong country feel although there is a rock
element too.”
Talking about his early life Chris says, “I had
a pretty standard working class childhood, my
dad was a scrap metal dealer and my mum was
a housewife. When I was ten my dad moved us
all out to a farm in the Lancashire countryside
so he could pursue his love of horse breeding
and training, it was quite a culture shock.”
58 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Music however has always been a stable
presence in his life with his parents singing in a
band in the 60’s. “I sang in a choir when I was
very young but it wasn’t until I got into a band
myself at the age of about 17 that I started to
take singing a bit more seriously,” Chris explains.
“To be honest it was kind of by default, none of
the other guys would sing so it fell to me, when
you get thrown in at the deep end like that, you
tend to learn pretty fast.”
Chris really started reaping the rewards when
he heard his songs being played on the radio
by his hero Bob Harris. Chris also had ‘record of
the week’ on Radio Two with a single called We
Were Children. He says, “That was a big thrill,
however it’s always difficult to name a particular
highlight, just playing and singing for a living is a
privilege in my opinion.”
Details of all Chris’s upcoming shows
are available from www.chrisbannister-
musicofjohndenver.com.
Gr8 Life magazine 59
RECIPE Vérité at homeGRILLED VENISON STEAK,
CARAMELISED PEAR WITH PORT AND JUNIPER
This is a great Autumn party dish and far easier to make than it looks!
SERVES 44 Venison (haunch) steaks (ask your local butcher)
1 pear sliced lengthways into 4
1 clove of garlic (crushed)
200 ml port wine1 diced shallot1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar1 teaspoon of juniper berries (crushed)
1 teaspoon of redcurrant jelly25 grams butterolive oildemerara sugar
METHOD1. Rub the steaks with salt, ground black pepper,
crushed garlic and olive oil, leave them out of the fridge for an hour or so at least, to get to room temperature.
2. Sprinkle sliced pears with demerara sugar. Heat a non stick frying pan until very hot and place the pears in. They will soon begin to caramelise so fl ip them over and immediately take off the heat (leave to one side).
3. Heat another non stick pan that will fi t the four steaks in (if not do in two batches).When the pan is smoking hot, add the steaks and get a good colour on both sides to keep all the juices inside. Turn the heat down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side to achieve a pink middle. Remove onto a warm plate.
4. Place the same pan back onto the heat and add the chopped shallots and quickly sauté them. Pour in the port, red wine vinegar, redcurrant jelly and the crushed juniper berries. Reduce down to a syrupy consistency then swirl in the butter. Any juices that come off the plate with the steaks may be added to the sauce as well.
5. Serve the steaks with the caramelised pear and pour around the rich sticky sauce. Serve with creamy mash potatoes, red cabbage and maybe some roasted autumn vegetables.
60 Gr8 Life magazine
Cast your eyes away from the
stunning riot of glass, timber and
stainless steel behind you - all £10
million of it - and you’re met with a
lake, awash with windsurfers, kayakers
and groups of excited youngsters in
yachts of all shapes and sizes. You’d
be forgiven for thinking this was some
sort of country club for adventurous go-
getters, but it isn’t.
What it is, in fact, is one of the most
impressive leisure centres you’re likely to
come across, and it’s open to anyone
and everyone. Mike Wardle, the centre’s
development manager, said: “It’s not
just the Sefton area, for which we offer
very high quality facilities in the coastal
park, but we’ve also got national
offi cers for organisations such as the
British Canoe Union and British Rowing,
and a lot of them use the Lakeside as a
training facility.
“It has been enormously successful,
with July this year being our busiest so far
in terms of our activities, the bistro, the
conference area and our other facilities,
and it’s all down to the hard work of our
staff, who are extremely devoted and
With scrumptious smells wafting across the bistro, down the sparkling corridors and onto the lakeside balcony, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d strolled into a swanky hotel. However, you would be wrong as it is in fact Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre complete indeed with café, bistro, hotel rooms and a large conference area.
Gr8 Life magazine 61
help to make it a community that works.
“We have a national remit, a regional
remit, and a devotion to the Borough of
Sefton.”
One of the words Mike uses while talking
in warm tones about the centre - community
- is something that really comes across the
fi rst time you wander through the automated
doors into the Lakeside. Everyone seems to
know one another, families chat and laugh
inside the bistro and everyone from scout
groups to sports professionals seem to be on
the shore of the lake which runs alongside the
centre, discussing techniques and unloading
their kit.
One image that comes across particularly
poignantly is of two empty wheelchairs,
parked up at the end of the jetties leading
out onto the lake itself; their owners are out
on the water, having a whale of a time. This
is the essence of what Lakeside is all about.
I’ve come kitted out in my gym gear but
describing the site, which opened in the
dunes near Crosby last year, as just a gym is
doing it down, because there’s an array of
activities and things to do. My own particular
favourite was the bar and bistro, which offers
everything from a refreshing pint to the
full Lakeside Fish ‘n’ Chips, but there’s also
facilities to hold conferences, 14 bedrooms -
maybe the hotel analogy’s not so far fetched
after all - and the indoor fi tness suites. You
can even get married amid the stunning
seaside scenery, but given how popular its
wedding facilities are you’re better booking
sooner rather than later!
My activity of choice for the morning is
a spot of sailing, and even though my only
experience of sailing was a dip (literally) into
Southport’s Marine Lake the year before, I’m
soon fi lled with confi dence by the Lakeside’s
in-house experts. Not only do they take me
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GR8
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62 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
through all the techniques in a way that’s
intuitive and easy to follow, but the boats
they’ve brought out are light, friendly and
utterly unintimidating. It’s a shame it’s not
really sailing weather - the wind remarkable
by its absence - but I’m soon in my stride as I
leave the centre itself and take to the water.
The great thing is you don’t have to be a
GR8Life writer to gain access to this watery
world of fun and fi tness; even if you have a
disability which would usually prevent you
from setting sail, the Lakeside’s team will go
out of their way to get you out there safely.
It’s hours of fun, but more importantly it’s
hours of fun that’s accessible to everyone.
Mike’s already told me that the area
needed a leisure centre like this, but what I
love about the Lakeside is that its creators
haven’t just hurriedly thrown up any old gym
next to the lake in the hope that, in these
troubled economic times, “it’d do”. Like a
Victorian railway station, it is a stunning site
they’ve really gone to town on, and unlike
most adventure centres it doesn’t cost the
Earth to enjoy.
I couldn’t agree with the centre’s mantra
more; it really does offer something for
everyone.
Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, Crosby
Coastal Park, Off Cambridge Road, Waterloo,
L22 1RR
Website: www.crosbylakeside.co.uk
Telephone: 0151 966 6868
Gr8 Life magazine 63
Ballroom dancer Anton Du Beke shot to stardom with BBC 1’s Strictly Come Dancing. Throughout the show he has danced with some huge names including Lesley Garrett, Esther Rantzen and of course Ann Widdecombe! Here Louisa Austin talks to him about his latest project with BUPA and what he thinks about Line dancing....
64 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
Can you tell me about your
involvement with BUPA’s ‘Shall we
dance’ campaign and what it is all about.
Well, it is a campaign to try and encourage
everyone, especially older people, to get up
and have a go at dancing. It is exercise, it is
fun and as you get older it is so easy to do
nothing. At the launch the other day we did
a bit of a tea dance, I got everyone up and
Ann Widdecombe (who is also involved in
the campaign) was there as well. There was
an elderly chap who had come along and he
got up and had a dance with Ann. Apparently
he normally just sits in his room and doesn’t
do anything. However, he was the star of
the show on the day! This just highlights
the importance of the campaign because
ballroom dancing was a very social thing to do
in the past. This gentleman will have danced a
long time ago and for him to get up summed
up the whole thing. Exercise is what people
dread, but dancing is different. You are active,
it stimulates the mind, conversation and
interaction and so is vitally important.
Strictly Come Dancing has become
a national institution! What has the
program done for ballroom dance and
you in particular?
For me it has been great as it has given me
new opportunities to do new things and go in
a different direction. I am thrilled to be invited
to be part of this great program every year and
a by-product of this is being asked to do things
like the Bupa project. Someone said the other
day, ‘I am not sure when the hobby became a
job’ and I think that is a wonderful way to sum
it up. It is a very lucky position to be in. The
best thing about Strictly is that it has brought
dancing back to the public in a very social way.
Your partnership with Ann on the
show was received very positively
from the public. Ann herself has said
she did it for laughs. How, as a serious
professional dancer did you cope with
that - was it hard?
That was the whole point of the show
really; if I wanted to dance fabulously I
would dance with Erin (Anton’s professional
dance partner). It is not about showing how
wonderfully I can dance, my job is to dance
with Ann or whoever I am put with and enjoy
the process. I want Ann to look back on her
experience on the show and say, ‘I had a
great time.’ If she doesn’t then I won’t have
done my job properly. I would have been
upset by that because it is such a wonderful
opportunity and I hope they really enjoy it. It
is also our job to put on a show, even if we
were never going to be world champions. But
to be honest some contestants get to a level
that I really can’t believe they can achieve in
a few weeks.
SHALLWE DANCE
Gr8 Life magazine 65
How hard is the schedule for the
pros and the contestants on Strictly?
We are always in the studio rehearsing.
You finish a show and the next day you are
back in.. However, you get together in the
bar once it is over and everyone is great, it
is such a wonderful atmosphere. It always
has been on Strictly.
When the judges do give you a
poor rating for a performance how
do you keep your partners upbeat
and ready to take them on the
following week?
Someone like Ann for example is made
of granite and I don’t think those judges are
going to cause her any problems. Twenty
odd years of being a Member of Parliament
means she has had more difficult criticism
than they are ever
going to give her! That
is something you have
to deal with. Ann even
did things to upset the
judges sometimes which
was always lovely. She
just made me laugh the
whole way through.
Your career as a
television presenter
has sky rocketed. How
do you feel about
that, is it a welcomed
surprise?
Yes, this is also
another string that came
along. One of the things I
like more than anything is
variety in what I am doing.
The thought of doing the
same thing every day
would probably frustrate
me but I am lucky enough
to have that variety. I am
happy to give most things
a go, it is fun and I enjoy it. That’s the key.
What is your finest hour on Strictly?
What makes you most proud?
There are many but the one I always
mention when asked is a duet I performed
with Bruce Forsyth on the show called Me
and My Shadow. That was probably the
highlight of my Strictly experience.
We are based in Southport. Have
you been?
I do know Southport. There is a hotel
called the Prince of Wales and I have done
a dance weekend there before. There is a
wonderful ballroom. A beautiful atrium
ballroom which is absolutely lovely. I have
also played golf at Royal Birkdale so I am
very familiar with Southport and all it has
to offer.
66 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
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1093826
Ever wanted to own your very own sports car but never thought you could because you’d struggle to get the kids, the shopping and your suitcase in the back? Well, here David Simister tells you why you can.
Gr8 Life magazine 69
Anyone familiar with the letters G, T and I will
already know you can mix the responsibilities
of family life with the indulgence of a fast car
because ever since the hot hatch was invented,
in the late Seventies, it’s been showing the
family man the sort of full-throttle thrills he’d
normally miss out on. Whether it’s the Golf
GTi of the Seventies, the Peugeot 205 GTi of
the Eighties, or the Renault Clio Williams of
the Nineties, chances are there’s a go-faster
shopping car from your generation that proved
you can pack both a big punch and a big boot.
Fast forward to 2011 and Suzuki’s Swift
Sport, yours for a smidgen under £13,000,
brings the familiar formula bang up to date.
Although it’s based on the outgoing model
rather than the new range brought in last year,
it mixes funky styling with sporty touches like
a rear spoiler, alloys all round and bucket seats
on the inside, and defi nitely looks the part if
you’re a keen driver.
With the same practical touches and easy-
revving nature as its slower siblings in the Swift
range, it’s a doddle to drive around town. It’s
a shame the boot doesn’t offer the room of
larger rivals like the Fiesta or Corsa, but it’s very
easy to get comfortable inside, with plenty of
space front and rear. But you can do all that
with a normal hatchback, which is why, to see
the Sport in its element you have to get off
the housing estates and onto the hills, like the
Yorkshire Dales.
Take it to somewhere like the Buttertubs
Pass, one of Britain’s toughest driving roads,
and you’ll see exactly where the Sport shines.
Out here, its handling is as impressive as much
more expensive sports cars like Mazda’s MX-5,
and the 126bhp engine eggs you on into every
corner, giving you all the confi dence you could
ever ask for.
It might only have a frugal little 1.6 petrol
engine but it still gives the swiftest of Swifts
the temperament of an exciting terrier, and
when it’s allied to the slick six speed manual
and the sports suspension it allows you to zip
70 www.gr8lifemagazine.com
through corners far more quickly than you
might have expected. Nail a tricky hairpin at
just the right speed and you’ll suddenly realise
the Swift Sport isn’t a car that’s going to fall
foul of the Trade Descriptions Act. They could
have called it the Suzuki Enormous Grin and
still got it spot on.
After tackling the Buttertubs I could have
pulled over, but I carried on, heading right
through the Dales and across the whole of
Cumbria, simply because it’s a car you never
get tired of driving. It’s never anything less
than a giggle from behind the wheel, and
when you do decide you’ve had enough fun
for the day the price and practicality prove
plenty to smile about.
The 123bhp Sport is a hot hatch from the
old school, but that’s not a bad thing. Like
an original Golf GTi, it’s been decorated just
enough on the outside to imply it’s something
a little bit special, but still subtle enough to
avoid attracting unwanted attention. More
importantly, it masters the trick of being just
as much fun to drive as a small sports car while
still being able to carry a cupboard in the back.
Try that in your BMW Z4.
In fact, the Swift Sport’s only real problem
is an existential one - the fact that its days
are numbered. Suzuki launched a new Swift
range last year, meaning that eventually the
company is going to drop its junior hot hatch in
favour of a slicker, newer supermini to replace
it. The good news is that the cooking versions
of the new Swift seem to have followed in
their predecessors’ nimble footsteps, and
- if the Swift Concept S project, seen at
motorshows earlier this year, is anything to
go by - the Japanese fi rm’s working fast on
another Swift Sport.
Forget your posey, pricey sports cars -
get yourself one of these and get into the
countryside. This is one of the best hot hatches
you can buy today
Photographs by Katie Massam
Gr8 Life magazine 71
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www.gr8lifemagazine.com 73
This was the inaugural NSPCC charity
golf event held at West Lancashire Golf Club
which was hosted by the Captain of West
Lancashire John Morris and his wife Paula
Morris who is on the Formby branch of NSPCC
committee. 68 golfers took part and due to
their efforts and the many sponsors involved
the initial fundraising target of £2,500 was
succesfully achieved with a fi nal total of
£4,000 being raised. The host of the event
John Morris said “ I would like to thank all
those teams who entered and the numerous
local business’ and golf clubs who offered
their support via sponsorship of holes and
prizes . We are delighted with the fi nal fi gure
of £4,000 and certainly intend to host a
similar event next year.
Charity Golf Event
Sisters Joanne, Jenny and Sophie Morris who were NSPCC helpers for the Charity Golf Day. Sean Marshall, Jonathan Berkson, Ian Tyler and Philip Sheard
Phil Moy, Dave Dunne, Graham Lynch and Phil Alcock Andrew Morris, Phil Lythgoe, Tony Webster and Tim Apel
Spencer Russell, Austin Bell, Andy Jackson and James Carr
Club Captain John Morris and his wife Paula with Rosamond and John Farrell
Tony Griffi n, John Forrest, Mike Forrest and Ian St John
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Ladies DayScarisbrick Hall School, was transformed
into the HMS Scarisbrick for it’s Nautical
themed Ladies Day spectacular. Ladies were
taken to the hall in horse & carriage or open
top limousine and were greeted by sailors at
a drinks reception on the lawn, sponsored by
Christian Audigier Wines and Champagnes.
Guests of honour, Kate & Wills (Kate Jordan &
William Bell) arrived in style by helicopter to
cheers by the ladies who were then treated
to helicopter rides. Mr Eric Borowski, head of
education at Scarisbrick Hall, said ‘once again
it’s been a pleasure to co-ordinate this event
for the ladies and I’ve enjoyed every minute
of it, this year the pupils have been more
involved than ever and have managed to keep
everything top secret from the ladies, the
children have done themselves proud!’
Alison Taylor & Vicki FergusonJulie McDonnell & Zoe BellBetty Cackett, Karen Cackett & Amanda Neale
Dorothy Gibson & Jenny McGreal
Sue Aylmer, Lynda Headley & Jade Headley of Scarisbrick Hall
Sue Abrams & Margo Isherwood
Jospice held their annual volunteers
evening recently. It was a great success
and Director of fundraising Pat Murphy
commented, “It is always a pleasure to host
our annual volunteer evening, and to be able
to thank personally so many good people
who donate their time to Jospice.”
She continued, “Jospice has over 200
volunteers who assist with a wide variety of
support, in the fundraising offi ce, driving,
in our shops, gardening - the list is endless.
Thousands of hours are given to Jospice in
volunteer time each year, and we really do
appreciate the many unpaid hours that are
given to us by so many. We really could not
manage without you.”
www.gr8lifemagazine.com 75
Jospice say ‘Thankyou’
Rita Power, Collette Tunney and Jean DickinsonCathy Cusack, Edyna Fox, Ian Fennah, Siobhan
Clinton and Linda Byrne
Gillian Mercer, Mike Murphy, Beverly Cannon and Anne-Marie WhitakerVal Marland, Patricia Gray, Betty Robinson and Diane Donaldson
Maureen Crawford, Cathy Cusack and Rose Moran
Jim and Joan Bell
Beryl Ramsey, Madeline Fraser and Barbara Tran
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Tarleton High School held their
Year 11 leavers’ prom recently and
celebrated in style. The event was
held at The Pines Hotel in Chorley
and the excited guests arrived
in a chauffeur driven limousine!
Year 11 pupil Naomi Naylor said,
“I really enjoyed the night and it
was great way of saying goodbye
to everyone.”
School Leavers Prom
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www.gr8lifemagazine.com 77
The annual North West Cancer Summer
Sparkle event was held in July at the home
and gardens of Mr & Mrs Naill and Joan Roy
with approximately 100 ladies enjoyed a
glass of bubbly and canapés. With matched
funding by Barclaycard a fantastic £2444 was
raised for North West Cancer Research Fund
into research into all forms of cancer.
Olive Cutts, Chairman of the Southport
Branch said, “With just over 10p in the pound
taken out for administration, we represent
true value for money! With just one small
room at Liverpool University, which is given to
NWCRF and just three staff, it enables us to
keep our costs really low.”
Both Olive and Joan Pettitt (President) wish
to thank all members of the public who come
and support the events and keep raising vital
monies to help fi nd the causes and in some
cases the cure for some types of cancer.
Fantastic result
Joan Molyneux, Margaret Gleave, Christine Rimmer and Rita Farrow.
Rose Allison, Pauline Duff, Ann Holland and Frances Hoare.
Olive Cutts Vivienne Tyrer, Hilde Hall and Joan Hewitt.
Jill Mook and Denise Armstrong. Kath Clegg and Angela Howard. Linda Nolte and Linda Edge.
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The ninth annual Awards Evening of the Southport
primary schools’ “Service Above Self Competition” took place
recently at the Scarisbrick Hotel. Nine schools took part in the
prestigious event.
Guest of Honour was His Worship The Mayor of Sefton,
Cllr Paul Cummins and the Mayoress, Mrs Carol Cummins.
Another distinguished guest was Mrs Marjorie Carey of the
Scarisbrick Hotel.
Mr Barrie Swan, President of the Rotary Club of Southport
Links, hosted the event.
The aim of the Service Above Self Competition is to
foster the principles of good citizenship and the value of self
discipline, to practise teamwork and recognise that there are
many people in a worse position than themselves.
Competition celebrations
Ainsdale St Johns Bishop David Shephard Churchtown
Farnborough Road Kings Meadow Marshside
Our Lady of Lourdes St Philip’s St Patrick’s
MC John Tarpey
The UK’s newest model agency was launched
in July at Verve in Birkdale Village. GModels was
founded by Chantelle Latham and Lisa Hames as they
discovered there was a gap in the market in the area
for models of all shapes and sizes, not only to work
in the fashion industry, but also in the commercial
sector as well.
The event had an American theme as it was the 4th
July and the evening was toasted with glasses of
Christian Audigier Champagne. Lisa commented,
“It was a fantastic evening, I have found the faces
for my publicity campaign and am delighted with
the professionalism and help I have received from
GModels”
www.gr8lifemagazine.com 79
Successful agency launch
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Kim, Chantelle, Arran, Lisa
GModels Models
Holly Latham & James Fell photographed by Adam Yaffe
GModels Models
Lisa, Lamin, Chantelle, Nathan, Kim Verve, Birkdale
Holly LathamDirector Lisa Hames,
Director Chantelle Latham
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As part of their course, Southport
College’s 2nd Year National Diploma Travel
& Tourism students had to plan, promote
and manage an event. On 28 April 2011 the
students held a College Staff Summer Ball
at Southport’s Prince of Wales Hotel to raise
funds for the charity ‘Friends of Africa’.
Berni Deary, Curriculum Leader for Travel
& Tourism said; “The students worked
incredibly hard in planning, promoting and
delivering the event and it has given them a
great experience of the events management
industry. As well as being a fantastic
experience for the students, all of the guests
really enjoyed their evening and most
importantly £1690 was raised for Friends of
Africa through ticket sales and fundraising
activities at the event.”
Southport College ball is great success Travel & Tourism students with Barry Duffi n from Friends of Africa, Carmel Hackett and
Southport College Principal Brian Mitchell
Berni Deary with her guestsJohn Fell, Ronnie Fell, Liz Pickering, Jim Pickering,
Gill Mitchell and Brian Mitchell
Guests enjoying the black tie eventStudents Hollie Webster and Charlie- Louise
Jones drawing the raffl e Barry Duffi n from Friends
Jodie Marcucci with husband Marco Dawn McKenzie and Sara Shotton
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www.gr8lifemagazine.com 81
STARS turned out for a charity golf day hosted by leading
autobody repair specialists The Karl Vella Group which raised
£13,000 for their chosen charity Macmillan Cancer Support.
Ex- Everton and Scotland star Graeme Sharpe and ex
Welsh rugby International Steve Moore attended the event
at Formby Hall Golf Club recently. It was held to celebrate
the Group’s 25th year in business as well as to raise funds
for the charity.
18 teams from across the UK came to Merseyside for the
golf day and battled it out to win the Rob Lee Memorial
Trophy in honour of their friend Robin Alexander Brian who
lost his battle with bowel cancer in June 2010.
Karl said: “I would like to thank everyone who attended
on Friday and helped raise money for a very worthy cause.
“Cancer is a disease which, sadly, touches nearly
everybody’s lives either directly or indirectly at some point so
it is important we support the work of Macmillan who do a
fantastic job in helping and supporting those in need.”
Charity golf
The teams tee off at Formby Hall Karl Vella MBE with Steve Moore Joe Hunter
Karl Vella MBE Stewart Cahill & Gary Palmer Graeme Sharp
David Vella & Karl Vella MBE
Karl Jennings & John Cackett
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The Ladies of Hillside Golf Club celebrated
their Centenary with a Ladies Invitation
Competition with Ladies from the 25 Clubs
in the Liverpool Society in attendance with
invitations from other Golf Clubs across the
Country. 240 Ladies enjoyed a spectacular
day culminating in a Gala Dinner in the
Marquee with entertainment provided by Julie
A. Scott an International Singing Star. The
Lady Captain Mrs Jane Rose welcomed and
hosted what was stated to be the best Ladies
Invitation Golf Day the Club has seen.
Successful Centenary
Carole Moorcroft, Tricia Houghton and Brenda Hudson
Jennie Robinson, Jackie Bramhall with Veronica Heald-Jones
Shirley Charnock, Sharon Hewer, Elisabeth Mair and Abby Sanderson Anne Starkey, Janet Perkins, Annie Helme and Sue Billington.
Pam Ferguson, Heather Jackson with Phyll JacksonMeegan Switzer, Margaret Milne, Jane Rose Lady Captain of
Hillside Golf Club and Rita Abberley
Beverley Bond, Olive Cutts and Joan Roy Sue Morgan, Joan Pettitt and Pauline Rooney
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Gr8Life A701 GLA September 24/08/2011 09:55 Page 1
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