Knowsley Online

Prescot Festival 2016

 12th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts

- Friday 17th to Sunday 26th June 2016

Highlights include:

 Swingshift Big Band & BBQ

Friday 17th June, 7.00pm (£8)

Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot. L34 1LA

One of the North West's finest big bands are joined by vocalist Chris James to pay tribute to Glenn Miller and the late, great Frank Sinatra, in what would have been his 100th year.  A delicious interval BBQ is included in the ticket price.

 

From Darkness to Light

Saturday 18th June, 7.00pm (£5 - under 16s free if with an adult)

Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot. L34 1LA

To coincide with 'Prescot Remembers', singers from across the region join the Prescot Festival Chorus for this special 'Come & Sing' performance of Mozart's Requiem.  In the rousing second half, we look to the future with the award-winning Wigan Youth Brass Band, fresh from their tour of Italy.

Barn Dance & Supper

Friday 24th June, 7.00pm (£7)

St Paul's Church, Bryer Road, Prescot. L35 5ND

Join in or just sit back and listen to local folk group Change of Key, celebrating the 60th anniversary of St Paul's Church.  Includes Cottom's hot pot and dessert.

 

Songs from the Shows with BOST

Saturday 25th June, 7.30pm (£6)

Prescot Methodist Centre, Atherton Street, Prescot. L34 5QN

The celebrated musical theatre company are back by popular demand with more movie, Broadway and West End favourites - plus, a few nods to Shakespeare, including classic tunes from Kiss Me Kate and West Side Story.

Regal Festival Finale with South Liverpool Orchestra

Sunday 26th June, 7.30pm (£6 - under 16s free if with an adult)

Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot. L34 1LA

A Proms-style concert paying tribute to HM the Queen in the year of her 90th Birthday, and William Shakespeare, on the 400th anniversary of his death.  Hope University's South Liverpool Orchestra is conducted by Rob Howard with solo trumpeter Hannah Mackenzie (RNCM), and the evening ends with such patriotic favourites as Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.

 

Woodland and Bioblitz

Become a wildlife explorer for the day at Knowsley Safari

Calling all explorers! Knowsley Safari is on the hunt for nature aficionados to join their team to discover the many species that make Britain’s back garden their home.

The one-day event taking place on 22 May marks the launch of a two year commitment to support EAZA’s (European Association of Zoos and Aquarium) ‘Let It Grow’ campaign. The activity aims to educate and encourage visitors to champion native wildlife and help to conserve backyard species from bugs to birds.

Knowsley Safari’s Research Officer, Bridget Murray, says: “Our team at Knowsley Safari will be working with experts from across the North West, and together with the support of the public, we are hoping to uncover more about the native species that make Knowsley their home than ever before.

“We are calling on visitors to enjoy a full wild day out at Knowsley Safari, and play an important part in helping us identify as many different species of birds, bugs, plants and beasties as they can.”

Knowsley Safari’s Woodland Bioblitz will take place on Sunday 22nd May during park opening hours. 

Make time to care this Foster Care Fortnight

Do you have time to show a child in need that you care?

This Foster Care Fortnight (May 16-29), Knowsley Council’s fostering service are appealing to local people who think they have what it takes to make a difference to a local child’s life.

If you love children and young people, have plenty of time, care and patience to offer, as well as room in your home, fostering could be right for you.

There really is no such thing as a ‘typical carer’, and there are no ‘rules’ about who can and can’t foster. You don’t have to be married, wealthy, or own your own home. Foster carers can be any sexuality, race or religion. Full training and support is provided to foster carers, and you will be paid for the care you provide. As a foster carer for Knowsley you have the option to progress, working towards different ‘Skills Levels’, for which an additional payment, similar to a wage, will be paid.

In fact, being a foster carer is one of the most rewarding jobs you could ever do.

Knowsley’s Fostering Service will be out and about in the borough during Foster Care Fortnight talking to you about what fostering is and whether it could be right for you and your family.

 You will find them on the following days:

Monday, 16 May at Huyton One Stop Shop, 12-1.30pm

Tuesday, 17 May at the River Alt Centre, Woolfall Heath Ave, Huyton, 12-1pm

Tuesday, 17 May at Buckingham Bingo, Huyton, from 6-7pm

Wednesday, 18 May in Huyton Village 12-2pm

Thursday, 19 May in Halewood One Stop Shop from 12-1.30pm

Monday, 23 May at Kirkby One Stop Shop, from 12-1.30pm

Wednesday, 25 May at The River Alt Resource Centre, Woolfall Heath Avenue, Huyton, from 6-7pm

Friday, 27 May in Kirkby town centre 12-2pm

Anyone who wants to find out more about fostering is also welcome to attend a breakfast event for tea and toast at The Venue, Huyton, on Friday, 20 May and Friday 26 May between 10.30 to 12noon.

Alternatively, you can call the team at anytime on 0151 443 3958, see more information on fostering on the council’s website, or ‘like’ the Foster for Knowsley Facebook page.

 What is fostering?

Fostering involves looking after a child or young person in your own home at a time when they’re unable to live with their own families. Unlike adoption, fostering is a temporary situation for many children. Foster carers can choose whether to offer short or longer term care, and will have a say in the age of child/children they care for. At the moment there is a particular need for foster carers who are willing to care for children aged between 11-18, and sibling groups.

Cllr Gary See, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Our foster carers do a fantastic job and we cannot underestimate how important they are in the lives of the young people they care for.

“With the right amount of care and time, the dedication of a foster carer can turn around the lives of children who have had a difficult start in life, to help them fulfill their potential and lead happy, successful lives. It is a job that we could not do without our wonderful foster carers.

“If you have ever considered fostering then I would urge you to get in contact with us and take the next steps during Foster Care Fortnight.”

Prescot Festival Gives Resounding ‘Yes’ to Shakespeare North

A Shakespearean theatre and education centre would transform culture and economy in Prescot, the director of the town’s annual arts festival says.

“Having been bringing arts and music to our town for over a decade now, we are fully behind Shakespeare North’s plans,” said Dr Robert Howard.

“Prescotians are rightly proud of their ancient Lancastrian heritage, and with all the history that has emerged in the last few years about Prescot’s role in theatre, culture and commerce in the region, it is the right time to start promoting it beyond the town’s borders.”

This June’s festival will pay homage to Shakespeare—who counted Prescot’s Earl of Derby among his rich patrons—with its 2016 Short Story Competition. Entrants are being asked to take inspiration from the phrase ‘in a pickle,’ which was first recorded in Shakespeare’s tragicomedy The Tempest.

Other Shakespearean highlights of the 10-day programme include a talk by LJMU historian Elspeth Graham, as well as Shakespeare-inspired show songs and orchestral pieces, courtesy of BOST and the South Liverpool Orchestra, respectively.

Plus, MATE Productions will present their hilarious ‘Pop-up Shakespeare’ at the Prescot Carnival during festival week.

“Four hundred years ago, Prescot was the site of the first free-standing playhouse outside London,” Robert continued, “and therefore symbolised arts and culture, formerly reserved for the rich and powerful, being brought to ordinary people.

“It’s exactly what we have tried to do as a festival, and it’s why we support and are tremendously hopeful for Shakespeare North’s upcoming project.”

The 12^th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday 17 to Sunday 26 June. Full programme information is online at www.prescotfestival.co.uk, and tickets are now on sale online or in person from Poco Coffee at 30 Eccleston Street, Prescot.

Pictured:- Members of South Liverpool Orchestra performing as part of the 2015 Prescot Festival  (credit: Alan Humphreys