Community Post Type: News

Leading independent race organiser BTR Liverpool has announced a busy and exciting event portfolio for 2024 – which also includes a number of milestone anniversaries and the return of an old favourite.

Established in 2006, BTR Liverpool creates, organises, and delivers some of the region’s headline running events – including festive spectacular the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash and established road race BTR Liverpool Half Marathon. Both are long-standing, key events in the annual programme.

The 30^th anniversary of BTR Liverpool Half Marathon is on 17 March, with the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash celebrating its 20^th anniversary on 1 December.

After a few tough years, BTR Liverpool has worked tirelessly to overcome the economic challenges arising through the Covid-19 global pandemic. The team have adapted races and introduced virtual options where possible, which continues to prove popular with regular BTR runners and attract newcomers.

Race entries are once again growing with 2024 already shaping up to be a successful year. Entries are open now for all BTR races – the full calendar and portfolio can be found at www.btrliverpool.com

The programme for 2024 includes a number of key milestones. First up is the 30^th anniversary of BTR Liverpool Half Marathon which falls on St Patrick’s Day – Sunday 17 March. More than 6,000 runners have already signed up with almost two months still to go to race day.

The celebrations continue with 20^th anniversary BTR Liverpool Santa Dash on Sunday 1 December; and 10^th anniversary BTR Tour Of Merseyside, a seven-day challenge of six races covering 52 miles starting on Sunday 30 June.

This year also sees the 10^th staging of community legacy Run For The 97 5K on Saturday 18 May; followed by a decade of the Port Sunlight Road Race on Sunday 9 June featuring 5K and 10K distances, as well as a 15K dual race.

The portfolio also includes the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K on Sunday 14 April; and BTR Wirral 10K on Sunday 13 October. And new for 2024 – BTR is bringing back the Women’s 10K Liverpool on Sunday 8 September.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region. Its extensive portfolio covers various distances across different terrains, all with an ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The portfolio includes events for all ages and abilities – from serious athletes pushing for a PB to families running together for run and everyone between, including many people taking part in their very first organised event.

The man at the helm is Liverpool-born BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell. He began running as a youngster and now race events are his vocation.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell explained:

“Last year was positive in that we turned a corner and could see a marked increase in people once again taking part in organised races and fun runs. For some people that’s what really makes them tick. Once you sign up you’re committed to the cause – you have a target, focus, and aim. And a real reason to train and stay fit and healthy.

“The 2024 programme is full of variety. Honest events bursting with heritage, great history, landmarks, an infectious atmosphere; while others are packed with fun, laughter, a real community feeling; and not forgetting plenty of challenges along the way to really test runners.

“First up in the 2024 calendar is the 30^th anniversary BTR Liverpool Half Marathon – and it’s a huge testament to the history and standing of the event that we already have more than 6,000 runners signed up. A running party in Liverpool on St Patrick’s Day, with lots of runners visiting from overseas, people enjoying their post race celebrations – it’s going to be incredible.

‘Happiness!’, the first major exhibition on a comedian in a national museum, celebrates one of the UK’s best-loved and most influential comedians, Sir Ken Dodd.

Much like the man himself who was renowned for the length of his performances, the exhibition will now be giving visitors to the Museum of Liverpool an extra four months of laughter, closing to the public on 7 July 2024.

Ken’s marathon shows were legendary. He even earned a place in The Guinness Book of Records for the world’s longest ever joke-telling session: 1,500 jokes in three-and-a-half hours (7.14 jokes per minute). The fundraising “Marathon Mirthquake” was undertaken at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, in 1974 where audiences entered the show in shifts.

When challenged, Ken would say: “I don’t do long shows, I just give good value – and don’t worry about the dark, you’ll always go home in the daylight.”

Les Dennis, presenter, actor, and comedian said: “Apart from pantomime, my first theatrical memory was seeing The Ken Dodd Laughter Show at the Royal Court Theatre in the early 60s. The gales of laughter from the audience as they watched Doddy in action were intoxicating and I was immediately hooked. I knew there and then that a life in showbusiness was what I wanted to pursue.

“Walking round the amazing Doddy exhibition brought back all the wonderful memories I have of the extraordinary career of one of the true greats of live theatre and comedy. If you haven’t yet visited, treat yourself and go. How tickled you’ll be and you’ll come out saying ‘By Jove, I needed that!'”

The ‘Happiness!’ exhibition is a laughter-filled experience, steeped in Doddy’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour, which transformed the UK comedy scene.

From the Diddymen to the Broken Biscuit Repair Works, Ken’s imagination was both endless and infectious. Through never-before-seen personal objects, film, photography, interactives and of course many, many jokes, this ‘tattyfilarious’ show has already raised thousands of smiles and with this extension it is hoped there are many more to come.

Anne, Lady Dodd said: “When you are so closely involved with the development of an exhibition as I have been over the last few years, it is difficult to be objective about how others will see it. I knew that I loved what the talented team at the Museum of Liverpool had put together but until it opened, I wasn’t sure what others would think. However, it has been so wonderful to stand in the museum and hear visitors rocking with laughter and sharing some of Ken’s favourite jokes with each other. It’s been a delight to read their memories of Ken in the visitor’s book and discover their first-hand stories about seeing him at some of the many theatres we visited around the country on Ken’s Giggle Map.

“It was a difficult decision to include some pages of Ken’s private notebooks, but the overwhelmingly positive response has reassured me that Ken’s hard-earned experience in the entertainment industry is one that many want to hear and read about.”

Many of the objects featured in ‘Happiness!’ are kindly loaned to the museum by Ken’s wife, Anne, Lady Dodd. National Museums Liverpool is hugely grateful for her support and generosity towards the exhibition.

Karen O’Rourke, Curator (Sport, Music & Performance) said: “The response to our exhibition, ‘Happiness!’ has been overwhelming and really reflects the love people have for Doddy.

“Of course, he’s well known and much-loved in Liverpool, but it’s been wonderful to also welcome visitors who have made the journey from all corners of the UK just to see the exhibition.

“We expected plenty of laughter, but it’s also been very moving to hear such touching memories of Ken, what he meant to people and how fondly they remember him.”

Among the unmissable highlights of the exhibition are a small selection of notebooks from the more than 1,000 Ken used to keep meticulous notes about his performance. These were intended to be private, in fact in later life, Ken repeatedly made his wife, Anne, promise to burn them all ‘after I’m gone’. After much soul-searching, she decided that they were too culturally significant and needed to be saved. Exclusively for this exhibition, Anne agreed to share extracts from this important archive of a comedy genius and great philosopher.

The extension allows visitors more time to indulge in the nostalgia of getting up close to the iconic props and costumes that became so synonymous with Ken’s act. From his much-loved Dicky Mint (the ventriloquist puppet he performed with on TV, and in some live shows), to the famous Tickling Sticks, Knotty Ash Great Drum and the Huury Furry Moggy Coat, the exhibition brings back many happy memories.

During the exhibition’s run so far, The Ken Dodd’s Giggle Map, a digital interactive created especially for it, has grown. With contributions from visitors added frequently, the map includes images, programmes, flyers, and wonderful anecdotes from the hundreds of theatres where Doddy performed.

The exhibition also features dozens of clips, taken from the huge volume of footage that reveals a sparkling and unique entertainer. Exclusive interviews with comics, actors and performers such as Lee Mack, Miriam Margolyes, Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady pay homage to the influence Ken had and the esteem in which he was held.

‘Happiness!’ runs at Museum of Liverpool until 7 July 2024. Tickets are £5 (concessions available) and under 17s go free. Book now here. 

Spread happiness and bring a friend to the exhibition for free. Museum of Liverpool is taking part in the National Lottery’s #ThanksToYou offer, with Happiness! tickets available at two for one between 9-17 March 2024.  

On Saturday 27^th January, 12pm-5pm, Marginal Publishing House will host their official launch as the UK’s first youth-led publishing house, publishing solely marginalised authors under the age of 25. The launch will be held at the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum, Slatey Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH43 4UE.

The launch of the Marginal Publishing House is a chance for people within Merseyside to gain insight into the often closed world of publishing and celebrate the people who are often overlooked and ignored when it comes to sharing their stories.

The publishing sector has historically been one dominated by white, upper class, able-bodied men and it is time that we begin to write a new history. The launch of the Marginal Publishing House signifies a shift in who is leading the discussions around inclusivity in publishing, sharing ways more young people can get involved in the sector and skill-sharing for people to start creating their own works to be shared with the world.

The launch of the Marginal Publishing House has been organised, and will be hosted by  young people from Comics Youth’s Safe Spaces Project.

The launch will see 15 publications from Marginal being shared and celebrated to the general public through author Q+A’s, writing and ‘illustration workshops and a panel discussion involving publishers, stockists and activists in the publishing sector.

The Marginal Publishing House exists to give marginalised youth a platform to refine their skills and get their voices heard through printed media- whether that is comics, graphic novels, short stories, poetry books and more.

The event is free and open to the general public.  Young people attending will receive a free Marginal publication.

There will also be an arts marked filled with young creators and makers throughout the day.

To find out more about Comics Youth please visit www.comicsyouth.co.uk

Huge news coming from Liverpool today as Jacaranda Baltic have announced an intimate acoustic album launch show with The Libertines which will be taking place next week.

Pete Doherty and Carl Barat will take to the stage on Wednesday 24th January 2024 in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle area for an acoustic show. Carl Barrat described their acoustic shows as being ‘very rare’ so Liverpool is in for a treat.

The Libertines will be in Liverpool to launch their fourth studio album entitled, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade which is out out 8th March 2024. The release marks the band’s first new album in nine years.

Jacaranda Baltic was announced by Liverpool’s iconic Jacaranda on the 1st January and the announcements have been coming ever since with Tom Odell, Dizzee Rascal and Jamie Webster all playing there in the next few weeks.

The first album launch show at the venue was Shed Seven on Friday 19th January. Reviews from the show said the “venue sound was great” and there was a “great atmosphere”. Gig-goer Alisa said Jacaranda Baltic was a “Brilliant intimate venue”.

Tickets to The Libertines at Jacaranda Baltic are available via jacarandarecords.com.

Jack Rowley, Marketing & PR at Jacaranda Baltic said:

“We’re so proud that despite Jacaranda Baltic being open less than a month we’re able to bring artists of this caliber to the record store and live. We’re all fans of The Libertines in the office so this one is special for us!”

An acclaimed show highlighting the incredible talent of the late Beatle George Harrison embarks on a UK and Ireland next month, it follows a successful run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and sell out shows in 2023.

Something About George – The George Harrison Story, pays tribute to the man dubbed the “quiet Beatle” it will visit 31 venues across England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, its biggest tour to date. It will open with two shows at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Sat 3 February and ends at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway, Ireland on Fri 29 March.

West End performer and musician Daniel Taylor, fresh from his recent TV and media appearance with partner Shirley Ballas (head judge from Strictly Come Dancing), front’s the band of five and tells the fascinating story of George and performs his biggest hits. The band are Joe Smithson (MD, Guitar and Vocals), Callum Macmillan (Percussion/Drums), Tom Kinton (Bass Guitar and Vocals) and James Breckon (Keyboard and Vocals).

Featuring beautiful songs like My Sweet Lord, Something, Got My Mind Set On You, and My Guitar Gently Weeps, Something About George showcases Harrison’s incredible solo material and music from rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, which was made up of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty… and, of course any show celebrating one of the Fab Four just must include a few classics from The Beatles.

From heartbreak to hedonism and song writing to success, Something About George celebrates a life that was anything but quiet.

FLORAL PAVILION – NEW BRIGHTON

SAT 3 FEBRUARY

www.floralpavilion.com

THEATRE ROYAL – ST HELENS

THU 14 MARCH

www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Christmas wishes have come true in St Helens as theatre management have announced that their spectacular pantomime Aladdin has officially broken all box office records to be their most successful pantomime ever staged.

37,000 people have already booked to see the spectacular pantomime Aladdin with the final 6 performances taking place this week, some tickets are still available for shows taking place from Friday to Sunday. 

The seasonal production from acclaimed Panto producers Regal Entertainments has not only been their best seller and fastest selling panto, but also its most well received, with the five-star reviews from the press to 37k happy audience members leaving the theatre to the 1000’s of comments left on the theatre’s social media channels.

Regal Entertainments have been entertaining the St Helens region, producing pantomimes since 1999 and previously as Crown Productions since 1994, it is safe to say that they have established themselves at one of the region’s top panto producers, putting St Helens on the map for quality live family entertainment.  Regal Entertainments have found the perfect formula of a modern twist on traditional family Panto which resonates not only with St Helens audiences, but audience members coming in from across the country and even some making themselves known from as far as Australia and USA.

Emmerdale’s Liam Fox made his professional panto debut as the evil Abanazer, and panto royalty and queen of the airwaves, Leanne Campbell appears digitally as the magical Genie of the Mirror.

Tickets can be booked over the phone or in person at the box office between 10am and 5pm, from Monday to Saturday. Tickets can also be purchased online.

For more information please visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Liverpool BID Company commissioned local artist Neil Keating to create a map of Liverpool city centre BID for visitors of the city to enjoy.

The map is bright and beautiful and the more you look at it, the more you spot! The map is a great help for wayfinding, discovering new places and shows how easy Liverpool is to walk around – many visitors are surprised by the ease and closeness of many great spots.

Whether it’s St Georges Quarter, Commercial District, Waterfront or more, or whether you need shopping, culture, food and drink, the handy QR codes on the map make it easy to scan and go to find new places in Liverpool to fall in love with.

Liverpool BID Company are dedicated to installing the map across the city for locals and visitors alike to improve connectivity across the city centre and increase footfall, dwell time and spend in Liverpool’s businesses.

 

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Grab a free coffee, enjoy free train travel*, listen to some live local music on your way into work or stretch out with a relaxing yoga session on your lunch break. They are just a few of the free activities taking place on Monday 15 January as Liverpool bids to bat away the January blues.

Organised by Liverpool BID Company, Yellow Monday rebrands Blue Monday, traditionally the most depressing day of the year, the free activities and offers are donated by city centre businesses to bring joy at the start of the week.

Katie Bentley is Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications at Liverpool BID Company.

“It might have started as a marketing campaign, but we know that the January Blues can be part of low moods. The environment we live in has a real impact on our sense of wellbeing, and knowing that we are part of a community that cares about one another gives us a sense of purpose and belonging. Music, mindfulness and a surprise bit of joy can do wonders for the mood and we wanted to give the city a chance to say goodbye to Blue Monday”.

At Liverpool Parish Church, end the working day with a relaxing Soundbath.  A Soundbath is a meditative experience where guests are invited to relax and enjoy the sounds around them. For this event, Level10 Choir will surround the participants with a wash of choral sound.

It starts at 5.45 and continues until 6.45

Revd Canon Dr Crispin Pailing MBE is Rector of Liverpool.

“Places of worship can often also be places of meditation and mindfulness. The world is an overwhelming place, and often never more so than during the cold and dark days of January. This Soundbath is an opportunity to tune in and switch off, to let music and sound wash over you and help you to relax. If nothing else, it may be a few valuable moments to oneself to allow you to reflect on your day, think of your achievements and mentally wind down”.

The full list of free activities includes;

–       100 free coffees to giveaway with Bean Coffee at their three locations, Chapel Street, St Pauls Square, Princes Dock

–       Free Merseyrail travel for the 15th, register by Thursday 11 January*

–       Live music from local artist, Mike Blue, at Moorfields Station from 8am – 9am

–       Pastry giveaway with WYLDE Coffee, for the first 100 individuals passing Exchange Flags on way to work – starting at 8:30

–       Morning Mindfulness Session in the Liver Building with Mindfulness Liverpool, followed by a trip up to RLB360 for views of Liverpool – starting at 11:00

–       Lunchtime Yoga with YinYan in Horton House, at 12:15 – 13:00

–       Soundbath at Liverpool Parish Church, 5:45pm – 6:45pm

–       Social media competition to nominate a colleague for a bouquet of flowers on 15th Jan

–       Yellow Monday uplifting office playlist

–       Yellow Monday ‘Note to Self’ postcards in office buildings and given out at activities

Read the full list of activities here https://liverpoolbidcompany.com/yellow-monday/

*One free return journey on the one day and we are offering 2,000 tickets on a first come first serve basis

The Brain Charity and ITN Business are proud to present Inside Neurology: Our Unique Brain. Hosted by Ayo Sokale from the ITN London studio, the programme will premiere on 10th January 2024.

Liverpool-based organisation The Brain Charity, which supports people affected by neurological conditions as well as their families and carers, worked with ITN Business to create the programme. Filming of an exclusive report took place at The Brain Charity’s centre on Norton Street and features stories from those affected by neurological conditions.

Inside Neurology: Our Unique Brain highlights the experiences of those affected by neurological conditions and champions neurodiversity. The programme also explores the positive efforts in healthcare and science to support people living with neurological conditions.

The programme features interviews with The Brain Charity’s CEO, Pippa Sargent who discusses the work of The Brain Charity and explains why it is so important to support people with neurological conditions. This exclusive interview also shines a spotlight on neurodiversity and why is it important to reframe thinking about neurodiversity and champion individuals who are neurodivergent.

Pippa Sargent, CEO of The Brain Charity, said: “Inside Neurology: Our Unique Brain provides an important insight into what it means to live with a neurological condition.

“Through this film, we want to raise awareness of neurological conditions and to create a wider conversation around neurodiversity – because all brains are different and this diversity is an advantage.

“Neurodivergence affects 15-20% of the population. People who are neurodivergent can have cognitive differences around sensory processing, communicating and co-ordination. Being neurodivergent can bring attributes such as creativity, intelligence, big picture thinking and a fresh perspective – skills which are valued in workplaces, businesses and society as a whole.

“By breaking down the barriers in place for those who have a neurological condition, or who are neurodivergent, we can be part of the solution in creating an understanding society free from stigma.”

 Every year 600,000 people are diagnosed for the first time with a neurological condition; they account for 25% of all disabilities in this country.

A neurological condition is any condition that affects the brain, spinal cord or nervous system. There are more than 600 conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. The Brain Charity champions neurodiversity and provides practical help, emotional support, and social activities for every single one.

Many neurological conditions are well-known, such as stroke, dementia, cluster headaches and ADHD. But there are also hundreds of conditions that are much less well-known, such as trigeminal neuralgia, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome and Huntington’s disease.

The programme also highlights important work by other organisations including The Neurological Alliance, which is a collaboration of more than 100 organisations all committed to improving treatment, care and support for people affected by neurological conditions.

Georgina Carr, the Chief Executive of the Neurological Alliance discusses the ‘Back the 1 in 6” campaign’, which calls for improvements to treatment and care for people affected by neurological conditions.

Alongside Georgina Carr in the ITN Studio is Barrie Smith, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s almost two decades ago. Barrie talks about how it affects him on a day-to-day basis, his treatment and care, what improvements he would like to see in healthcare for people with Parkinson’s.

The programme includes sponsored editorial profiles from the following organisations:

• Idorsia Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd share their work with a variety of partners that are raising awareness of chronic insomnia and the adverse impacts for those affected and the economy.

• PSPA – PSP (Progressive supranuclear palsy) and CBD (Corticobasal degeneration) are two misunderstood neurological conditions. Life expectancy is on average just 7 years, yet it takes approximately 3 years to get diagnosed. Charity PSPA demonstrates its support for people living with these conditions and discusses its work to raise awareness in the medical community and beyond.

• FND Hope talks about Functional Neurological Disorder, a problem with the functioning of the nervous system and how the brain and body send and receive signals. FND Hope UK’s mission is to promote awareness, support affected individuals and advance research for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of FND.

• Pfizer and The Migraine Trust demonstrate their commitment to help improve the lives of people with migraines by raising awareness of the impact of the condition on individuals and society and supporting research and education.

Inside Neurology: Our Unique Brain will be available to watch online on the ITN Business Hub and on The Brain Charity’s website on 10th January 2024.

To view the programme please visit:

business.itn.co.uk/programmes/inside-neurology-our-unique-brain

thebraincharity.org.uk/inside-neurology-our-unique-brain-itn